Conference on Computing, IT Concludes at University of Tabuk

The conference was organized by the University of Tabuk with the participation of a group of IT experts and specialists. SPA
The conference was organized by the University of Tabuk with the participation of a group of IT experts and specialists. SPA
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Conference on Computing, IT Concludes at University of Tabuk

The conference was organized by the University of Tabuk with the participation of a group of IT experts and specialists. SPA
The conference was organized by the University of Tabuk with the participation of a group of IT experts and specialists. SPA

The 2023 3rd International Conference on Computing and Information Technology (ICCIT) concluded in Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

The conference was organized by the University of Tabuk with the participation of a group of experts and specialists in the field of computing and information technology (IT) from different countries around the world at the Millennium Hotel in Tabuk.

The two-day ICCIT aimed to provide an opportunity for researchers to exchange ideas and expertise, and interact with experts in the fields of computing, IT, and engineering.

During the ICCIT, a number of sessions and workshops were held on the future vision of artificial intelligence (AI), information security, emerging technologies, engineering, and information systems. These areas were selected according to the university's research directions, which are in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 to promote the knowledge economy.

The ICCIT witnessed the presentation of scientific research that exceeded 518 research papers from 33 countries, of which 122 were accepted.

The Deputy Dean of the University of Tabuk for Graduate Studies and Scientific Research, Dr. Saad Al-Mutairi, honored the participants in the ICCIT and the first-place winners for research.



Downloads of DeepSeek's AI Apps Paused in South Korea Over Privacy Concerns 

People watch a TV reporting DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence startup, during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP)
People watch a TV reporting DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence startup, during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP)
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Downloads of DeepSeek's AI Apps Paused in South Korea Over Privacy Concerns 

People watch a TV reporting DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence startup, during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP)
People watch a TV reporting DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence startup, during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP)

DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence startup, has temporarily paused downloads of its chatbot apps in South Korea while it works with local authorities to address privacy concerns, South Korean officials said Monday.

South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission said DeepSeek’s apps were removed from the local versions of Apple’s App Store and Google Play on Saturday evening and that the company agreed to work with the agency to strengthen privacy protections before relaunching the apps.

The action does not affect users who have already downloaded DeepSeek on their phones or use it on personal computers. Nam Seok, director of the South Korean commission’s investigation division, advised South Korean users of DeepSeek to delete the app from their devices or avoid entering personal information into the tool until the issues are resolved.

DeepSeek got worldwide attention last month when it claimed it built its popular chatbot at a fraction of the cost of those made by US companies. The resulting frenzy upended markets and fueled debates over competition between the US and China in developing AI technology.

Many South Korean government agencies and companies have either blocked DeepSeek from their networks or prohibited employees from using the app for work, amid worries that the AI model was gathering too much sensitive information.

The South Korean privacy commission, which began reviewing DeepSeek’s services last month, found that the company lacked transparency about third-party data transfers and potentially collected excessive personal information, Nam said.

Nam said the commission did not have an estimate on the number of DeepSeek users in South Korea. A recent analysis by Wiseapp Retail found that DeepSeek was used by about 1.2 million smartphone users in South Korea during the fourth week of January, emerging as the second-most-popular AI model behind ChatGPT.