S. Korea says DeepSeek transferred data to Chinese company without consent
ANI file photo
SEOUL: Chinese
artificial intelligence
app
DeepSeek
was transferring personal data to a
cloud services
platform without users' consent while it was still available for download,
South Korea
's
data protection
authority said on Thursday.
The Personal Information Protection Commission (
PIPC
) said the information, which included device, network, and user inputs in AI prompts, was transferred to servers at Beijing platform
Volcano Engine
.
DeepSeek's R1 chatbot stunned investors and industry insiders in January with its ability to match the functions of its Western competitors at a fraction of the cost.
However, countries including South Korea, Italy and Australia and some US states have questioned DeepSeek's storage of user data and have banned or restricted its use.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed!
IC Markets
Start Now
Undo
The PIPC launched an investigation in February and said DeepSeek would no longer be available for download until a review of its personal data collection practices was completed.
"Initially, DeepSeek transferred personal data to companies located in China and the United States without obtaining users' consent or disclosing this in the privacy policy at the time the service was launched," commission official Nam Seok told reporters.
"In particular, it was confirmed that DeepSeek transferred not only device, network, and app information, but also user inputs in AI prompts to Volcano Engine," he said.
Following the investigation, DeepSeek "acknowledged it had insufficiently considered
Korea
's data protection laws, expressed its willingness to cooperate with the commission, and voluntarily suspended new downloads from domestic app markets", Nam said.
DeepSeek did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It has said that data was collected in "secure servers located in the People's Republic of China".
The company claims its AI tool was built using less sophisticated chips than its competitors, slashing the cost. The app was downloaded tens of millions of times in just a few weeks after its launch.
Volcano Engine is a Beijing-based cloud service platform owned by ByteDance, which is also the parent company of the hugely popular platform TikTok.
Asked about the data transfer to Volcano Engine, DeepSeek said it was sent "for the purpose of addressing security vulnerabilities and improving user interface and experience", Nam said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
17 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump vs Musk: How a political feud threatens to send NASA into the ‘biggest crisis' in its history
The spectacle of President Donald Trump 's public feud with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has now spilled into one of America's most strategic and fragile domains: space. What began as a war of words over a contentious spending bill has become a flashpoint threatening to unravel decades of US leadership in space science and exploration. At the centre of the dispute is the White House's proposed federal budget, which seeks to radically reshape NASA's priorities. If passed, it could place over 40 current and future missions at risk, many involving climate science and planetary exploration, while funnelling resources into a narrowly defined vision: putting American boots back on the Moon, and eventually, on Mars. Adding fuel to the fire, Trump has openly threatened to cancel federal contracts with Musk's SpaceX, a company now central to NASA's operations. That threat risks not only logistical disruptions, like resupplying the International Space Station ( ISS ), but also casts long shadows over future crewed missions that depend on SpaceX's Starship rocket. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Drink one cup a day and watch your body change NEWSCASA Undo 'The astonishing exchanges, snap decisions and U-turns we've witnessed in the last week undermine the very foundations that we build our ambitions on,' said Dr Simeon Barber, space scientist at the Open University, as quoted by the BBC. 'Space science and exploration rely upon long-term planning and cooperation between government, companies and academic institutions.' $22 billion at stake At the heart of the storm are nearly $22 billion in government contracts awarded to SpaceX, spanning NASA's Commercial Crew Program, ISS cargo missions, and the Artemis Moon programme. The feud escalated on June 5, 2025, when Trump publicly threatened to scrap all government contracts with Musk's companies. Live Events Musk responded with a dramatic (later-deleted) post on X: 'In light of the President's statement about cancellation of my government contracts, @SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately.' He later backed down, replying to a user urging restraint: 'Good advice. Ok, we won't decommission Dragon.' NASA caught in political crossfire Even before this drama unfolded, NASA was staring down an existential challenge. The proposed budget includes a 25% overall cut, with science and Earth observation missions absorbing the brunt. Programmes that track climate change, explore the solar system, and enable global partnerships, some decades in the making, are now vulnerable. Casey Dreier, chief of space policy at the Planetary Society, called it 'the biggest crisis ever to face the US space programme.' That's no exaggeration: while the budget proposes a $100 million boost for Mars-related initiatives, almost everything else is on the chopping block. 'President Trump is repurposing NASA to land astronauts on the Moon before the Chinese, and eventually to plant a US flag on Mars,' said Dr Adam Baker, a space analyst at Cranfield University, reported BBC. 'Everything else is secondary.' Human spaceflight, too, is on edge SpaceX's Crew Dragon is currently NASA's only certified spacecraft capable of carrying astronauts to and from the ISS. Under a $5 billion contract, it ended NASA's reliance on Russia's Soyuz after the Space Shuttle's retirement. Presently, Crew Dragon is supporting the Crew-10 mission, while Axiom Space prepares a fourth private astronaut mission. Boeing's Starliner remains uncertified and unproven for long-term operational use. Without SpaceX, human spaceflight missions could face serious setbacks, Dreier warned: 'The potential cancellation of these contracts would delay or completely halt US-led missions to the ISS.' Artemis and Mars ambitions in jeopardy NASA's Artemis III mission, aiming to land astronauts on the Moon in 2027, relies on SpaceX's Starship as its lunar lander. So far, the company has received over $15 billion in NASA contracts for Falcon 9 and Starship development. But Starship's recent test flights have ended in failure, and if the partnership collapses, it could derail timelines and leave the door open for rivals, particularly China, to lead in lunar exploration. Trump's long-touted goal of sending astronauts to Mars, once aligned with Musk's vision, now appears politically volatile. This focus comes at the cost of near-term science and Earth-based priorities. The SLS vs Starship debate Trump officials have justified the cuts as a streamlining effort. NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), with a staggering $4.1 billion launch cost, has long been criticised for overruns and delays. The budget proposes sidelining SLS in favour of cheaper, reusable alternatives. But the private sector may not offer the stability required. Starship's repeated failures and Blue Origin's early-stage development raise questions. 'The worry is that NASA may be jumping out of the frying pan into the fire,' Dr Barber said. 'If SpaceX or Blue Origin run into trouble, Congress will have to foot the bill anyway.' Global partnerships fray NASA is not just a national agency; it's a cornerstone of international space cooperation. Two major joint missions with the European Space Agency, Mars Sample Return and the Rosalind Franklin rover, are in jeopardy due to US budget cuts. 'These missions are more than science, they're signals of trust and cooperation,' said Prof Sir Martin Sweeting of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. ESA has signalled plans to build more autonomous space capabilities, reflecting a future where it cannot depend on US reliability. Earth loses out Ironically, some of the worst-hit programmes are the ones that help protect our own planet. Earth observation satellites, critical for tracking wildfires, droughts, and sea level rise, are at risk of shutdown. Over 40 active or planned missions are now in danger, including: DAVINCI+ and VERITAS (Venus missions) Landsat Next, critical for climate change monitoring EnVision, a joint mission with ESA Mars Sample Return, a flagship programme in partnership with ESA Existing missions like Juno, Mars Odyssey, New Horizons, and MAVEN, which could face premature shutdowns As per NASA's muted official response came via spokesperson Bethany Stevens: 'NASA will continue to execute upon the President's vision for the future of space. We will continue to work with our industry partners to ensure the President's objectives in space are met.' But former Deputy Administrator Lori Garver was more direct: 'A rogue CEO threatening to decommission spacecraft, putting astronauts' lives at risk, is untenable.' A legacy at risk This isn't just about rockets or rivalries. It's about a legacy of American leadership in space that now faces erosion due to political volatility and personal vendettas. As per Reuters, if Congress approves the budget, or allows it to take effect by default, the damage could be irreversible. NASA's 18,000-strong workforce faces uncertainty, and global trust in US-led space efforts may erode for years to come. As Dreier puts it: 'Once space missions are turned off, it is hard, if not impossible, to start them up again.'
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Gold Rate Today: Yellow metal rises to Rs 97,200/10g as US-China trade uncertainty boosts demand
Gold prices rose on Wednesday amid lingering uncertainty over the finalisation of a U.S.-China trade agreement, prompting safe-haven buying ahead of key U.S. inflation data. At 10:50 am, August gold futures on the Multi Commodity Exchange ( MCX ) were trading at Rs 97,208 per 10 grams, up Rs 306 from the previous close. In contrast, July silver futures edged down by Rs 28 or 0.03% to Rs 1,06,721 per kg. In the global market, spot gold gained 0.5% to $3,339.60 an ounce (as of 0350 GMT), while U.S. gold futures also rose 0.5% to $3,361.20. U.S. and Chinese officials said on Tuesday they had agreed on a framework to revive their trade truce and lift China's export restrictions on rare earths. However, there was little indication of a long-term resolution to the trade dispute. After two days of talks in London, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the framework would be presented to President Donald Trump for approval, with the Chinese delegation also seeking a nod from President Xi Jinping . "Gold prices remain volatile as investors await a clearer resolution from the ongoing US-China trade negotiations taking place in London. A favorable outcome of the US-China trade talks is likely to drive gold prices down. Attention is also turning to inflation data set to be released over the next three days in both India and the UK. Additionally, Thursday's auction of long-term Treasury bonds may offer further guidance on price movements," said Aksha Kamboj, VP, India Bullion and Jewellers Association and Executive Chairperson, Aspect Global Ventures. The two countries had previously imposed tit-for-tat tariffs in April, escalating trade tensions. Talks in Geneva last month led to a rollback of some tariffs from triple-digit levels. Meanwhile, the World Bank lowered its global growth forecast for 2025 by 0.4 percentage points to 2.3%, citing trade tensions and uncertainty as major headwinds. Investors are now awaiting the U.S. consumer price index (CPI) report, due at 1230 GMT, for more clarity on the Federal Reserve's policy outlook. Most economists expect the Fed to hold interest rates steady for the next couple of months, with inflation risks still in focus. Elsewhere, spot silver was unchanged at $36.56 per ounce, platinum also steadied at $1,222.14, while palladium was up 0.6% to $1,066.19. "Gold has support at $3300-3275 while resistance is at $3345-3360. Silver has support at $36.20-35.90 while resistance is at $36.75-36.95. In INR, gold has support at Rs96,620-96,290 while resistance at Rs97,350-97,640. Silver has support at Rs105,859-105,050 while resistance is at Rs1,07,750-1,08,650," said Rahul Kalantri, VP Commodities, Mehta Equities. Also Read: Swiggy, Radico Khaitan among 7 stocks on which brokerages initiated coverage, see up to 34% upside Gold rates in physical markets today Delhi Standard gold (22-carat) prices in Delhi stand at Rs 58,304/8 grams while pure gold (24-carat) prices stand at Rs 62,232/8 grams. Mumbai Standard gold (22-carat) prices in Mumbai stand at Rs 57,144/8 grams while pure gold (24-carat) prices stand at Rs 60,880/8 grams. Chennai Standard gold (22-carat) prices in Chennai stand at Rs 56,832/8 grams while pure gold (24-carat) prices stand at Rs 60,584/8 grams. Hyderabad Standard gold (22-carat) prices in Hyderabad stand at Rs 56,944/8 grams while pure gold (24-carat) prices stand at Rs 60,704/8 grams. Also Read: JSW Steel, Aurobindo Pharma among 6 large & midcap firms with promoter pledge decline in Q4
Time of India
21 minutes ago
- Time of India
Challenging times for global trade; India will certainly cross USD 825 bn exports this fiscal: Piyush Goyal
The world trade is facing severe geo-political challenges, but India has consistently emerged as a winner in such times, and the country's exports of goods and services will certainly cross USD 825 billion in 2025-26, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said. Despite global economic uncertainties due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Israel-Hamas war and the Red Sea crisis, the country's overall exports touched an all-time high of USD 825 billion against USD 778 billion in 2023-24. As per estimates of certain multi-lateral bodies, there would be a contraction in global trade , Goyal said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Complete protection with iPru All-in-one Term Plan ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo "The world is going through severe geo-political these are challenging times, but India has always emerged (as) a winner in challenging times and we did a record USD 825 billion exports in 2024-25. This year, we hope to do much better," he told PTI. When asked if last fiscal's figures will be crossed, he said: "We will certainly be able to cross that". Live Events Apex exporters' body FIEO has projected that the country's overall goods and services exports are expected to grow by over 21 per cent year-on-year to USD 1 trillion during 2025-26. Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President S C Ralhan has said the healthy growth may come on account of international buyers seeking to diversify their sourcing in the wake of global economic uncertainties. In 2025-26, merchandise exports are expected to grow 12 per cent to USD 525-535 billion from USD 437 billion in 2024-25, while services exports are likely to rise by about 20 per cent year-on-year to USD 465-475 billion from USD 387 billion in the last fiscal, according to FIEO. The major sectors that are expected to show a significant jump in the shipments this fiscal include electronics, engineering, chemicals, textile and clothing, pharma and even the agriculture sector. Free trade agreements with countries such as the UAE, Australia and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) will also help boost exports in the coming months. The India-EFTA trade agreement is expected to come into force from October 1 this year. Goyal also said that FTAs signed during the Congress era were not good and have impacted domestic firms. They signed FTAs with countries like ASEAN , which are India's competitors; besides, they were not balanced, he said, adding that India opened more markets for those countries and "we did not get" good deals in return. On finished goods, he said, India removed the duties but import taxes on raw materials created inverted duty issues and that hurt "us a lot", he said. He added that now the Modi government is doing FTAs with developed countries/regions like Australia, the UK, EFTA, the EU, the UAE, Oman, Peru, and Chile. "Here we collaborate, there is no we are doing FTAs with well thought out strategies," Goyal said. India-EFTA signed the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) on March 10, 2024. Under the pact, India has received an investment commitment of USD 100 billion in 15 years from the grouping while allowing several products such as Swiss watches, chocolates, and cut and polished diamonds at lower or zero duties. When asked if India would have to ease certain regulations to attract this investment, Goyal said it has been a commitment based on today's situation. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is continuously focusing on ease of doing business, deregulation, reducing compliance burden, decriminalising the laws, making it attractive to do business in India," he said, adding that " I think this USD 100 billion will be exceeded and come faster".
