'Information Leak Alert' Construction Company Cuts Ties with DeepSeek

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Major domestic construction companies have started blocking access to the Chinese generative artificial intelligence (AI) 'DeepSeek.' As concerns over information leakage due to DeepSeek grow amid overseas bidding competitions with China and other countries, access bans are spreading throughout the construction industry.

According to the construction industry on the 20th, Samsung C&T, ranked first in construction capability evaluation as of last year, has blocked access to the 'DeepSeek' website within the company. In addition to DeepSeek, access to sites unrelated to work or external AI models is prohibited. Usage is only possible with approval from the security department. This direction was set due to the possibility of internal information leakage.

Hyundai Engineering & Construction, ranked second in the evaluation, has also taken measures to block access to 'DeepSeek.' A Hyundai E&C official stated, "Access to DeepSeek is blocked on the internal network," adding, "The block will be maintained until safety and security are ensured." GS Engineering & Construction announced the block through an internal bulletin on the 7th of this month. No damages have been reported so far. Lotte Engineering & Construction also stated, "Access is blocked for information security reasons."

This measure is intended to fundamentally prevent the possibility of bid secrets leaking out while competing with Chinese construction companies in various overseas locations.

DL E&C is preventing information leakage through guidelines on AI usage rather than directly blocking access. The guidelines instruct not to ask or answer questions related to personal information or company work content when using AI models.

DeepSeek launched its own AI model 'DeepSeek-R1' and AI chatbot 'DeepSeek' on the 20th of last month. Despite low development costs, it demonstrated the performance of existing models, attracting worldwide attention. However, claims have been raised that it collects not only basic user information such as name and date of birth but also internet IP addresses, unique device identifiers, and keystroke patterns for training purposes. Furthermore, since DeepSeek's servers are located in China, concerns have been voiced that leaked user data could be misused.

The Personal Information Protection Commission's investigation also confirmed inadequate processing policies when providing personal information to third parties. Government ministries and local governments have started blocking access, and from 6 p.m. on the 15th, the domestic service of the DeepSeek application was suspended. However, only new downloads are restricted; there are no usage limitations on previously installed apps and web services.

Within the industry, concerns over information leakage have increased due to the DeepSeek shock, and as AI technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) are accelerating in the construction industry, voices are calling for the establishment of management and ethical regulations at this opportunity. BIM refers to digitally creating accurate virtual models of buildings and other structures. It allows obtaining information necessary for design, construction, and operation of buildings in a three-dimensional environment.

Lee Gyu-eun, Associate Research Fellow at the Korea Construction Industry Research Institute, stated in the report "The Importance of Construction Data Ethics and Management Seen Through the DeepSeek Shock," "To maximize the use of AI technology in the construction field, standardized data collection suited to the purpose and a systematic management system must be established." He added, "When sensitive information is entered and used in DeepSeek, major information leakage to the outside can occur, so more thorough data security and ethical AI usage policies are required," and "A dedicated person responsible for data protection and ethical AI learning quality management should be appointed within construction-related institutions and companies, and a management system that complies with personal information protection guidelines should also be established."

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