Concerns over privacy security are rising after the personal data leak from Chinese AI company DeepSeek. As digital technology advances, everyday life is increasingly surrounded by devices capable of surveillance. Cameras on robotic vacuums, microphones in smart speakers, and smartphone apps track users' actions, voices, and locations. Many of these devices come from cost-effective Chinese brands, which are quickly dominating the market, but their products tend to have weaker security. The data collected is at high risk of being leaked due to hacking or inadequate security measures. Experts warn that the Chinese government, with no democratic oversight, could exploit such information. “Under China’s Data Security Law, the government can access any data gathered by domestic companies when necessary,” said a tech industry insider. “This is why fears of Chinese surveillance are spreading globally, not just in South Korea.”
Microphones and cameras in Chinese electronic devices are increasingly being used for personal data collection, with IP cameras being a key example. These internet-connected cameras, originally designed for security, are now integrated into robotic vacuums to map cleaning areas. China’s Roborock, which holds around 40% of South Korea’s robotic vacuum market, and Ecovacs, another leading Chinese brand, both use IP cameras. In the U.S., cases of Ecovacs vacuums being hacked have been reported. Unlike South Korean companies that equip their vacuums with internationally certified security programs, Chinese models often lack such protections. Chinese-made IP cameras dominate the home and commercial security market, accounting for 80% of installations. In some instances, private footage from these devices has been leaked on Chinese websites.
Internet-connected electronics are also vulnerable. China’s TP-Link, the world’s leading internet router manufacturer, is a key target. Hacking a router can grant access to all connected devices, from computers to refrigerators and washing machines. Microsoft revealed last year that Chinese hackers had used TP-Link wireless routers for large-scale cyber attacks. In response, the U.S. government is considering banning TP-Link router sales. While South Korea’s market share is not tracked, these products are easily available through online shopping.
Chinese equipment has also infiltrated social infrastructure. As of 2023, 427 out of 809 cranes (52.8%) at 10 South Korean ports were supplied by China’s ZPMC. The U.S. government has warned that sensors in these cranes could gather logistics data, calling them potential “Trojan horses.”
Chinese apps are also a major risk for personal data leaks, often embedding hidden software that secretly collects user information. In China, so-called “transparent apps” are widely used to install spyware without user knowledge. These illegal apps are secretly installed when users close pop-up ads or download other apps. With no name or icon, they are invisible on phone home screens. Through malware, they extract personal data such as photos, call logs, and location history, which is then sold to third parties.
These transparent apps are more likely to be installed when downloading Chinese apps. Last year, Temu was the most downloaded app in South Korea, followed by TikTok Lite (second) and AliExpress (fifth). Korea University professor Lee Hee-jo said, “A complete ban on Chinese hardware and software isn’t feasible, so we must implement strict verification and regulatory measures when adopting them.”
