Mar 01, 2025 08:00:00

It is pointed out that DeepSeek's model changes answers depending on the questioner's language

An investigation by

the National Intelligence Service (NIS) of the Republic of Korea revealed that the Chinese AI 'DeepSeek' gives different answers depending on the language of the questioner. For example, when asked about the origin of 'kimchi,' it gave different answers in Korean and Chinese.

NIS 국가정보
https://www.nis.go.kr/CM/1_4/view.do?seq=334

DeepSeek gives different answers about kimchi's origin: 'Korea' in Korean, 'China' in Chinese: Seoul spy agency | Yonhap News Agency
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250209004200315

Kimchi: Korean or Chinese? NIS cautions DeepSeek users about asking it 'sensitive questions' - The Korea Herald
https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10416237

South Korea's intelligence agency, the NIS, investigated the DeepSeek app to analyze whether it poses any disadvantage to the South Korean government or its citizens.

As a result, the NIS concluded that 'DeepSeek provides advertisers with unrestricted access to users' personal information, and such information is subject to submission at the request of the Chinese government under Chinese law,' and urged government agencies to take security precautions.

According to NIS, DeepSeek is different from other AI services in that it collects 'keyboard input patterns' that can identify individuals.

In addition, there was a tendency for respondents to show consideration for others in various languages.

For example, if you ask about the origin of kimchi in Korean, DeepSeek will answer 'It originated in Korea,' but if you ask in Chinese, it will say 'It originated in China.'

In addition, in response to a question about China's '

Northeast Project ,' a historical initiative that criticizes South Korea for 'distorting the history of the region,' DeepSeek, when asked in Korean, pointed out that 'neighboring countries have different perspectives due to their differences in history,' whereas when asked in English or Chinese, DeepSeek responded that it is 'a legitimate initiative to revitalize the northeast region in line with China's national interests.'

When asked in Korean about the Korean Boys' Festival (Dano Festival) , DeepSeek responds that it's a Korean tradition, but in Chinese and English he says it's a traditional Chinese holiday.

Aside from this, it has long been known that Chinese people tend to avoid topics that are vexing to the Chinese government, such as the Tiananmen Square incident, by responding with something like, 'Let's talk about something else.'

'DeepSeek-R1' refuses to answer 85% of sensitive topics about China, but points out that restrictions can be easily circumvented - GIGAZINE

Separately from the NIS, Korea's Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) has been conducting its own investigation, finding 'certain deficiencies' in DeepSeek's handling of personal information and its communication functions with third-party providers, and has announced that it has recommended suspending the availability of the DeepSeek app in domestic app stores.

New downloads of DeepSeek app suspended in South Korea due to lack of consideration for personal information protection law - GIGAZINE