South Korea Accuses China’s DeepSeek of Transferring User Data Without Consent

South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) announced that Chinese AI startup DeepSeek unlawfully transferred user data and prompt content without user consent, raising serious data privacy concerns.

According to the commission’s statement on Thursday, Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co. Ltd. failed to obtain proper user authorization when collecting and transferring personal data and AI prompt inputs during the company’s initial launch in South Korea this past January.

DeepSeek has not yet issued a formal response to the allegations.

Unauthorized Data Transfer to Chinese and U.S. Companies

The investigation revealed that DeepSeek transferred user information, including content from AI prompts, device details, network data, and app information, to various companies based in China and the United States. One of the primary recipients was Beijing Volcano Engine Technology Co. Ltd., a Chinese tech firm.

South Korea’s privacy watchdog stated that DeepSeek had admitted to the data transfer and claimed it was done to “enhance user experience”. However, the company reportedly stopped sending AI prompt content as of April 10.

App Download Suspended in South Korea

In February 2025, the South Korean data protection agency suspended new downloads of the DeepSeek app, citing the company’s failure to comply with national data protection regulations. The app was previously available for download in South Korea’s mobile app markets.

Corrective Measures and International Response

The PIPC said it will issue a corrective recommendation, urging DeepSeek to:

• Delete all AI prompt content previously transferred to Volcano Engine.
• Establish a legal framework for transferring any personal data abroad.

In response to the controversy, China’s Foreign Ministry commented that the Chinese government does not and will not require companies to collect or store data illegally, denying any state-directed involvement in DeepSeek’s practices.