Seoul: South Korea’s finance ministry has announced plans to block access to the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) service DeepSeek, citing growing concerns over data security. This move aligns with a broader government initiative to restrict the use of generative AI platforms among officials to prevent potential information leaks.
A finance ministry official confirmed the decision on Thursday, stating, "Due to multiple technical concerns raised about DeepSeek from both domestic and international sources, we plan to block access to the service on PCs connected to external networks."
The restriction follows similar actions taken by key government departments. On Wednesday, computers at South Korea’s foreign, trade, and defense ministries were blocked from accessing DeepSeek.
Additionally, an official from the unification ministry revealed that they also intend to impose similar restrictions. "Since 2023, our ministry has prohibited the input of undisclosed official data into all generative AI services at the request of the National Intelligence Service and the Interior Ministry," the official said. When asked specifically about DeepSeek, the official added, "We plan to take follow-up measures within the day, including blocking access."
DeepSeek, launched last month, has gained attention for its high performance and cost-efficiency compared to competing AI services. However, growing concerns over its security and data management practices have led multiple countries to scrutinize and impose restrictions on its use.
Earlier, South Korea’s foreign and trade ministries also restricted access to DeepSeek on ministry computers connected to external networks. These ministries handle highly sensitive foreign affairs and trade data, making the move a proactive measure to prevent potential breaches while using generative AI tools.
The South Korean government's firm stance reflects its commitment to safeguarding critical information, reinforcing broader efforts to regulate AI-powered services handling sensitive data.
With IANS inputs
