Korean Users Excluded from DeepSeek’s Privacy Policy Implementation
DeepSeek’s Privacy Policy Updates Spark Concerns
Introduction to DeepSeek
DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) company, has been under scrutiny recently due to its practices surrounding personal data collection. The company has introduced a Japanese-language version of its privacy policy, but the lack of a similar policy tailored for Korean users raises important questions.
Recent Developments in Privacy Policy
DeepSeek’s privacy policy was previously only available in English. The recent launch of a Japanese version comes after an update aimed at addressing privacy regulations in Europe. Privacy policies are crucial documents that clarify how organizations handle personal data, detailing aspects like collection methods, usage, sharing, retention periods, and the rights of individuals whose data is collected.
Features of the New Japanese Policy
The new Japanese privacy policy includes specific information regarding:
- Data Collection Categories: Detailed types of data the company collects.
- Retention Periods: How long the data will be stored.
- Usage Purposes: The reasons behind data collection.
- Data Subject Rights: Rights granted to individuals regarding their personal data.
- Storage Locations: Where the data is physically stored.
- Child Policies: Rules concerning data collection from children under 14 years old.
This new policy mirrors the company’s English version in depth and comprehensiveness.
Lack of Korean-Specific Policy
Despite these updates, DeepSeek has not yet provided a privacy policy specifically for users in Korea. This omission has attracted criticism, particularly since DeepSeek had previously stated its intention to engage with the Korean market and comply with local regulations.
Insights from Officials
Ko Hak-soo, chair of Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC), commented that DeepSeek should be applauded for recognizing the importance of the Korean market. He noted the company’s commitment to adhering to local laws. However, an anonymous source in the industry suggested that while DeepSeek may see Korea as an important market, the lack of a dedicated policy could indicate that the company feels it doesn’t need one due to the relatively small size of the market compared to Japan.
User Engagement Despite Regulatory Actions
As of now, the PIPC is still trying to assess the number of app downloads in Korea. However, it was reported that even after discussions regarding regulatory compliance that led to a temporary suspension of DeepSeek’s services in Korea, the app continues to see significant downloads.
Between February 16 and March 15, the DeepSeek app recorded 5,820 installations in Korea, with a daily active user count reaching approximately 52,000, averaging nearly 19,000 users per day.
Expert Opinions on Data Protection
Experts are emphasizing the importance of ensuring user data protection. Yom Heung-yeol, a professor emeritus of cybersecurity at Soonchunhyang University, stated that if DeepSeek truly aims to comply with Korea’s Personal Information Protection Act, it is essential for the company to create a comprehensive privacy policy for Korean users similar to those it has implemented for its European customers.
He further emphasized that the new policy should clearly indicate that any data collected from Korean users will be processed within the country itself.
Key Takeaways
- DeepSeek has introduced a privacy policy for Japanese users but still lacks one for Korean users.
- The absence of a Korean-specific privacy policy has raised eyebrows among industry experts and regulators.
- Increased user downloads of the DeepSeek app in Korea indicate significant interest despite ongoing regulatory scrutiny.
- Experts urge that a robust and transparent privacy policy for Korean users should be established to ensure data protection compliance.
