Seoul: The foreign, trade, and defense ministries have blocked access to the Chinese artificial intelligence service DeepSeek on Wednesday due to concerns regarding user data collection.

According to Yonhap News Agency, access to DeepSeek has been restricted on ministry computers that are connected to external networks. A ministry official reported that users attempting to visit the site are greeted with a message indicating that access is restricted. This move highlights the concerns within the ministries about the potential compromise of sensitive government data related to foreign affairs, trade, and national security.

An official from the defense ministry mentioned "technical concerns" as the reason for the restriction on military work-related computers. The decision, based on individual assessments by the ministries, is seen as a proactive measure to address potential vulnerabilities when utilizing generative AI services.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety has also taken action by sending a letter to various government agencies, metropolitan, and provincial governments, urging caution in the use of AI services like DeepSeek and ChatGPT. The letter emphasizes the need to avoid sharing personal details and to be cautious about the reliability of outcomes provided by these AI services.

In the corporate sector, notable tech companies have also responded to these concerns. Kakao became the first major tech company to ban the use of DeepSeek for business purposes on Tuesday. Following suit, LG Uplus implemented a similar policy earlier Wednesday. Other major tech companies, including Samsung Electronics, SK Group, and LG Electronics, have also banned the use of such programs on company computers unless prior authorization is obtained, as they continue developing their own generative AI services.