Privacy and data protection Archives | Page 246 of 328

South Korea halts new downloads of DeepSeek over privacy concerns

South Korea’s data protection authority has suspended new downloads of the Chinese AI app DeepSeek, citing concerns over non-compliance with the country’s privacy laws. The decision came after DeepSeek acknowledged failing to adhere to South Korea’s data protection rules fully. According to the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC), the service will be reinstated once necessary improvements are implemented.

The restriction, which took effect on Saturday, prevents new users from downloading the app in South Korea. However, DeepSeek’s web service remains operational in the country. The Chinese startup recently appointed legal representatives in South Korea and admitted to having overlooked some aspects of the nation’s data privacy regulations, the PIPC revealed during a media briefing.

DeepSeek has faced similar regulatory hurdles elsewhere. Italy’s data protection authority, Garante, ordered the company to block its chatbot in the country last month due to unresolved concerns over its privacy policy. These developments highlight growing scrutiny over data protection practices among AI-powered services, particularly those originating from China.

DeepSeek has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding the suspension in South Korea. Meanwhile, when asked about earlier restrictions imposed on the app, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson emphasised Beijing’s commitment to data privacy and security. The spokesperson stated that the Chinese government does not require companies or individuals to collect or store data violating applicable laws, distancing itself from the controversy surrounding DeepSeek’s compliance issues.

Why does it matter?

The regulatory action against DeepSeek signals the increasing global focus on AI-related privacy concerns. With authorities in multiple countries tightening their data security oversight, AI firms, particularly those operating across borders, face mounting pressure to ensure compliance with regional privacy laws.

Stay updated on DeepSeek developments!

Indian music industry joins lawsuit against OpenAI

Several of India’s leading Bollywood music labels, including T-Series, Saregama, and Sony, seek to join a lawsuit against OpenAI in New Delhi. They are concerned that the company’s AI models may have used their sound recordings without permission, potentially violating copyright laws. The legal action follows a previous lawsuit filed by Indian news agency ANI, which accused OpenAI’s ChatGPT of using content without authorisation to train its models. The music labels argue that this issue has significant implications for the global music industry.

The music companies, which represent major Indian and international music acts, claim that OpenAI’s AI systems could extract lyrics, compositions, and sound recordings from the internet without consent. T-Series, known for releasing thousands of songs annually, and Saregama, which holds a vast catalogue of iconic Indian music, are leading the charge. The Indian Music Industry (IMI), which also represents global labels like Sony Music and Warner Music, is pushing for the case to be heard in court, as the outcome could impact the future use of copyrighted content in AI training.

OpenAI, backed by Microsoft, argues that it adheres to fair-use principles by using publicly available data to build its AI models. However, the company is facing increasing legal pressure from multiple sectors worldwide, including recent lawsuits in Germany, where GEMA accused OpenAI of unlicensed use of song lyrics. OpenAI has opposed the Indian lawsuit, claiming that Indian courts do not have jurisdiction over the matter, given the company’s US base.

The next court hearing, which could shape the future of AI and copyright law in India, is scheduled for 21 February. This legal battle is gaining attention, particularly as OpenAI’s chief, Sam Altman, recently visited India to discuss the country’s plans for developing low-cost AI technology.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Anthropic’s Claude tested as UK explores AI chatbot for public services

The UK government has partnered with AI startup Anthropic to explore the use of its chatbot, Claude, in public services. The collaboration aims to improve access to public information and streamline interactions for citizens.

Anthropic, a competitor of ChatGPT creator OpenAI and supported by tech giants Google and Amazon, signed a memorandum of understanding with the government.

The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s ambition to establish the UK as a leader in AI and enhance public service efficiency through innovative technologies.

Technology minister Peter Kyle highlighted the importance of this partnership, emphasising its role in positioning the UK as a hub for advanced AI development.

Claude has already been employed by the European Parliament to simplify access to its archives, demonstrating its potential in reducing time for document retrieval and analysis.

This step underscores Britain’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge AI for the benefit of individuals and businesses nationwide.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Chinese tech giant Tencent wins US court battle

Tencent, a leading Chinese tech giant, has won a significant copyright infringement case in a US district court. The ruling resulted in nearly $85 million in compensation after a Taiwan-based TV box firm, Unblock Tech, and its distributors were found guilty of violating copyrights on over 1,500 Tencent shows, including ‘Little Days’ and ‘Three Body Problem’.

The judgement was handed down by the US District Court for the Western District of Texas. Tencent units, including Tencent Penguin Film and Tencent Technology, brought the case against the defendants for copying, distributing, and importing the content without permission.

Neither Tencent nor Unblock Tech provided comments regarding the ruling.

Analyst Vivian Toh highlighted the challenges of addressing cross-border infringement, stating that Tencent’s success underscores its commitment to protecting intellectual property.

The win reflects the broader issue of video content piracy, which remains a persistent problem across global markets.

Tencent has also pursued similar cases in China, targeting TikTok and Douyin-owner ByteDance over unauthorised use of its content. The outcomes of those lawsuits have yet to be publicly disclosed.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Italy denies Israeli spyware firm cut ties over hacking allegations

Italy has rejected claims that Israeli spyware company Paragon ended its collaboration with Rome following allegations that its technology had been misused to target journalists and activists instead of criminals. Cabinet undersecretary for intelligence matters Alfredo Mantovano stated that Paragon had never suspended its services or terminated its contract with the Italian government. Minister for parliamentary relations Luca Ciriani also defended Italy‘s intelligence services, insisting they had acted within the law and had not used the software against protected individuals, including journalists.

Concerns arose after Meta’s WhatsApp revealed that Paragon’s spyware had been used to target multiple individuals, including a journalist and a human rights activist critical of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Italy acknowledged that seven mobile phone users had been affected but denied any government involvement, calling for an investigation. Reports from The Guardian and Haaretz suggested Paragon had severed ties with Rome, doubting the government’s denial of wrongdoing.

Israel-based Paragon and its owner, Florida-based AE Industrial Partners, have not responded to requests for comment. Ciriani assured parliament that Italy’s intelligence services continue to operate fully against national security threats. He also called for the judiciary to investigate the alleged hacking of journalists and activists, stating that Italian intelligence agencies were ready to assist in uncovering the truth.

China’s semiconductor spending faces decline

China’s spending on chipmaking equipment is expected to fall by 6% in 2025, marking its first decline since 2021, according to Canadian research firm TechInsights. The drop follows years of aggressive stockpiling as Chinese firms sought to bypass tightening US export controls. Last year, China accounted for 40% of global semiconductor equipment purchases, but its share is projected to shrink significantly.

Analysts attribute the decline to a combination of overcapacity and the impact of US sanctions, which aim to limit China’s ability to develop advanced chips with potential military applications. Despite these restrictions, companies like SMIC and Huawei have continued to push forward, achieving technological breakthroughs by relying on more expensive and labour-intensive manufacturing processes.

China has made strides in producing mature-node chips and expanding its domestic semiconductor industry, with firms like Naura Technology Group gaining global market share. However, the country remains dependent on foreign suppliers for critical tools such as lithography machines, highlighting ongoing challenges in its push for self-sufficiency.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

AI development is outpacing our understanding, says expert

Dario Amodei, CEO of AI firm Anthropic, has warned that the race to develop AI is moving faster than efforts to fully understand it. Speaking at an event in Paris, he stressed the need for deeper research into AI models, describing it as a race between expanding capabilities and improving transparency. ‘We can’t slow down development, but our understanding must match our ability to build,’ he said.

Amodei rejected the notion that AI safety measures hinder progress, arguing instead that they help refine and improve models. He pointed to earlier discussions at the UK’s Bletchley Summit, where risk assessment strategies were introduced, and insisted they had not slowed technological growth. ‘Better testing and measurement actually lead to better models,’ he said.

The Anthropic CEO also discussed the evolving AI market, including competition from Chinese firm DeepSeek, whose claims of dramatically lower training costs he dismissed as ‘not based on facts.’ Looking ahead, he hinted at upcoming improvements in AI reasoning, with a focus on creating more seamless transitions between different types of models. He remains optimistic, predicting that AI will drive innovation across industries, from healthcare to finance and energy.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Germany investigates Apple’s App Tracking Transparency

Germany‘s Federal Cartel Office has expressed concerns over Apple’s App Tracking Transparency (ATT) feature, which could potentially violate antitrust rules for large tech companies. The regulator’s preliminary findings come after a detailed three-year investigation into the feature, which allows iPhone users to block advertisers from tracking their activities across multiple apps. The investigation is part of broader scrutiny over the influence of major tech companies on the digital advertising ecosystem.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Federal Cartel Office noted that Apple now has the opportunity to respond to the allegations. The authority’s concerns focus on whether ATT unfairly impacts the business models of other companies that rely on data-driven advertising, such as Meta Platforms, app developers, and startups. These businesses argue that the feature could severely limit their ability to target users with personalised ads, affecting their revenue generation strategies.

Apple has defended ATT as a crucial privacy tool that empowers users to have more control over their data. The company argues that the feature helps to protect user privacy by giving individuals the option to block third-party tracking. However, its critics, particularly in the advertising industry, contend that ATT has created an uneven playing field, disadvantaging businesses that depend on targeted advertising. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for Apple’s business practices in Europe.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

Thomson Reuters wins court case against Ross Intelligence

Thomson Reuters has won a legal battle against Ross Intelligence, after a judge ruled that the law firm’s use of Thomson Reuters’ legal content to train an AI model violated US copyright laws. The case stems from a 2020 lawsuit where Thomson Reuters accused the now-defunct legal research firm of using its Westlaw platform to build a competing AI system without permission.

Judge Stephanos Bibas confirmed that Ross Intelligence’s use of the content did not qualify as “fair use” under US copyright law, which permits limited use of copyrighted material for purposes such as teaching or research. Thomson Reuters expressed satisfaction with the ruling, stating that copying its content for AI training was not a fair use.

This case is part of a broader trend of legal challenges involving AI and copyright issues, with authors, artists, and music labels filing similar lawsuits against AI developers for using their works without compensation. These cases all involve the claim that tech companies have used vast amounts of human-created content to train AI models, raising concerns about intellectual property rights and the ethics of AI development.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.

OpenAI accuses Musk of hypocrisy

Elon Musk’s $97.4 billion bid to acquire OpenAI’s assets has sparked controversy, with OpenAI accusing him of contradicting his own legal claims.

Musk’s lawsuit, filed in August, argues that OpenAI’s assets should remain in a charitable trust and not be transferred for private gain. OpenAI has called his offer ‘an improper bid to undermine a competitor’.

The dispute comes as OpenAI seeks to transition into a for-profit organisation to secure funds for advanced AI development. Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI who left before ChatGPT’s rise in 2022, has launched his own AI startup, xAI, in 2023.

OpenAI’s letter to a federal court highlights the clash between Musk’s stated opposition to privatising its assets and his attempt to acquire them with private investors. The AI company argues that Musk’s bid undermines his legal position and the nonprofit’s mission.

Representatives for Musk have yet to comment. OpenAI continues to defend its transition plan, emphasising the need for substantial investment to remain competitive in the fast-evolving AI landscape.

For more information on these topics, visit diplomacy.edu.