The Berlin Data Protection and Freedom of Information Commissioner has reported that the Chinese AI app DeepSeek illegally transfers users’ personal data to China and violates the European Union’s data protection rules. As a result, German authorities have requested Apple and Google to remove the DeepSeek app from the App Store and Google Play Store.
The commissioner stated that DeepSeek has failed to provide convincing evidence that user data is properly protected. It was also highlighted that Chinese authorities have broad access to any personal data controlled by Chinese companies, putting the digital privacy of EU citizens at risk.
German officials have demanded that DeepSeek comply with legal requirements regarding data transfers outside the EU or face removal from the German market. However, the company has not responded to these demands.
Previously, DeepSeek was also banned in Italy for similar reasons, with local regulators ensuring its removal from both app stores.
Consumer privacy advocates in Europe emphasize that DeepSeek is both developed and operated from China. According to the app’s privacy policy, user data is stored and processed on servers located in China, raising serious concerns about data security.
Apple and Google have so far declined to comment on the issue.
This case underscores the strict stance European regulators take on data privacy in digital applications and signals to international tech companies the importance of complying with these protections.
