South Korea’s government temporarily blocked employee access to Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) startup DeepSeek, citing security concerns, according to Reuters.
The move comes as the government urges caution in the use of generative AI services, including DeepSeek and OpenAI’s ChatGPT, in workplace settings.
On Tuesday, the government issued a notice advising ministries and agencies to exercise caution when using AI services. The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy confirmed it had restricted access to DeepSeek, while state-run Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power blocked the use of AI services, including DeepSeek, earlier this month.
The defence ministry also barred access to DeepSeek on computers used for military purposes, whereas the foreign ministry restricted its use on devices connected to external networks.
South Korea is the one to impose restrictions on DeepSeek, following similar actions by Australia and Taiwan, which banned the AI startup from all government devices over security concerns. Italy’s data protection authority also ordered DeepSeek to block its chatbot in the country in January, citing unresolved privacy issues. Other governments in Europe, the US, and India are reportedly examining the implications of using China’s startup.
Impact on tech sector
The restrictions prompted South Korean tech companies to reassess their use of generative AI. Kakao Corp, a major chat app operator, instructed employees to avoid using DeepSeek, despite recently partnering with OpenAI.
SK Hynix, a leading AI chip manufacturer, limited access to generative AI services, allowing their use only when necessary. Similarly, Naver, a prominent South Korean web portal, advised employees against using AI services storing data outside the company.
DeepSeek’s latest AI models, launched last month, drew significant attention for their advanced capabilities and cost efficiency, with the company claiming they rival or surpass US-developed products. However, the startup’s rapid rise sparked concerns over data security and privacy, leading to increased scrutiny from governments and corporations worldwide.
