gettyimagesbank

The Korean government plans to look into the data collection process of Chinese startup DeepSeek's artificial intelligence (AI) service amid concerns about its collection and handling of users' personal information.

The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) said Friday it will soon send an official inquiry to DeepSeek requesting detailed information on the company's data collection and processing practices.

DeepSeek has garnered significant attention for delivering high-performance AI capabilities for a relatively low development cost. However, the service has come under scrutiny for allegedly collecting extensive user data and storing it on servers located in China.

The controversy surrounding DeepSeek has prompted several European countries to take action. The British government is reportedly reviewing the AI service from a national security perspective, while Italy's data protection authority has sent an official inquiry to DeepSeek concerning its data handling methods. German authorities are also considering potential regulatory measures, according to media reports.

In line with these international developments, the PIPC said it will request the Chinese company to explain what personal information the AI service collects, how it utilizes the data and whether information from Korean users is stored on Chinese servers.

"We need detailed information on DeepSeek's data collection and processing methods. We are sending an official inquiry via the company's email address," a commission spokesperson said.

If confirmed, concerns about DeepSeek's data practices could lead to heightened regulatory scrutiny and potential restrictions on the service in Korea. Industry experts believe that this case underscores the growing importance of data sovereignty and the need for international cooperation on AI regulations.

As generative AI services continue to proliferate, governments worldwide face increasing pressure to ensure that user data is protected and service providers adhere to stringent privacy standards.