South Korea has suspended new downloads of the Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek, citing concerns over personal data protection. The country's Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) announced the decision on Monday, stating that the app will remain unavailable until it complies with local privacy laws, according to reports by Reuters and BBC.

DeepSeek, which recently surged in popularity, had topped South Korean app store rankings and attracted over a million weekly users, states the BBC report. However, its rapid rise also triggered scrutiny worldwide, with several governments imposing restrictions over data security risks.

The suspension took effect Saturday evening, removing DeepSeek from Apple's App Store and Google Play in South Korea. It follows a series of government agency bans preventing employees from installing the app on work devices, as per BBC.

Despite the restriction, existing users can still access the app on their devices and through its website. The PIPC noted that DeepSeek has since appointed legal representatives in South Korea and acknowledged gaps in its compliance with local data protection regulations, adds the BBC report.

DeepSeek faces similar hurdles elsewhere. According to a Reuters report, Italy has blocked the app over privacy concerns, while Taiwan and Australia have banned its use on government devices. In the US, lawmakers are pushing for a federal ban, with several states—including Texas, Virginia, and New York—already implementing restrictions.

As per Reuters, when questioned about DeepSeek's growing restrictions, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson insisted that Beijing prioritises data privacy and would not compel companies to break the law.