Governments and Corporations Clamp Down on DeepSeek AI Over Privacy and Security Fears

- Expansion of DeepSeek AI Usage Restrictions Due to Privacy and National Security Concerns - Europe and the United States Ban DeepSeek AI Citing Privacy Laws [Unblock Media] As the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology accelerates, concerns over privacy and national security are growing. In response, governments around the world and global companies are increasingly announcing measures to restrict or block the use of the China-based AI service, DeepSeek AI. Western countries, particularly in Europe and the United States, are intensifying their scrutiny of DeepSeek AI's data processing methods based on privacy laws. Meanwhile, in the Asia-Pacific region, measures to ban the use of DeepSeek AI within government institutions are spreading due to national security concerns. Major corporations are also progressively limiting the use of AI tools to enhance internal security. The European Union (EU) is concerned that the data collection and utilization methods of AI services may violate the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Notably, Italy has decided to ban nationwide use of DeepSeek AI starting January 2025. This decision mirrors Italy's 2023 temporary blockade of ChatGPT, primarily due to potential violations of GDPR’s data minimization principle (Article 5) and legal basis requirement (Article 6). The United States is also reinforcing regulations on AI usage within government agencies. Major institutions including Congress, the Department of Defense, and NASA have already banned the use of DeepSeek AI. The U.S. ban on DeepSeek AI has also sparked criticism from Chinese commentators and social media users, who argue that it is part of a broader pattern of restricting Chinese technology. Zhang Heqing, a user on X (formerly Twitter), posted, "Look at Huawei, look at TikTok, and now DeepSeek. How many more do you want to ban?" His remarks echo broader concerns in China that the U.S. is systematically restricting Chinese technology under the pretext of security risks. Evaluations of security risks posed by AI services are being conducted under the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA). Similar trends are emerging in the Asia region. Taiwan has banned the use of DeepSeek AI in government agencies, public schools, and state-owned enterprises to safeguard national security. South Korea has also tightened policies by blocking access to external AI services in key government departments such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Trade, and Ministry of National Defense. The corporate sector is increasingly restricting the use of AI services to protect internal security and confidentiality. Major IT and large enterprises in South Korea strictly manage employees’ use of AI. Samsung Electronics, SK Group, and LG Electronics have blocked unauthorized AI programs from accessing internal systems, while SK Hynix has prohibited the use of generative AI services to protect trade secrets in the semiconductor industry. Domestic IT companies are following a similar pattern. Kakao has banned the use of DeepSeek AI to protect internal data, while Naver has internally requested to refrain from utilizing external AI services. LG Uplus has restricted access to DeepSeek AI citing the need to enhance internal security protocols. In Japan, Line Yahoo, which strictly adheres to privacy regulations, has banned the use of DeepSeek AI for business purposes. The regulations on DeepSeek AI by various countries are seen not just as blocking a single service, but as a signal for strengthening data protection and national security regulations concerning AI technologies overall. The EU is expected to more clearly establish data protection standards for AI services in the future, and the U.S. is likely to continue expanding its assessment of national security risks related to AI. South Korea is also enhancing the review of security risks posed by AI services, led by the Personal Information Protection Commission, and major corporations are realigning their internal policies to develop proprietary AI platforms. As the pace of AI development accelerates, it seems necessary for companies and government agencies to establish balanced response strategies that maximize the benefits of AI usage while reinforcing security and privacy protections.