Germany’s data protection commissioner has formally requested Apple and Google to remove the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from their app stores in the country. The request follows mounting concerns that DeepSeek transfers personal user data to China in violation of EU privacy laws.
Cross-border data transfer triggers regulatory action
The Berlin Commissioner, Meike Kamp, issued the directive after DeepSeek failed to demonstrate adequate safeguards for protecting German user data. According to Kamp, the company stores sensitive information—including AI prompts and uploaded files—on servers located in China. This, she argued, gives Chinese authorities sweeping access to EU citizens’ personal data.
“DeepSeek has not been able to provide my agency with convincing evidence that German users’ data is protected in China to a level equivalent to that in the European Union,” Kamp said. She noted that the company was first warned in May but did not comply.
Apple and Google must now respond
Apple and Google must review the request and decide whether to remove the app, although no specific deadline has been set. Google confirmed it had received the notification and is assessing it. Apple has not commented so far. DeepSeek has also not responded to media queries.
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The app’s privacy policy openly states that data is processed on servers in China, raising alarm among EU regulators, who are bound by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) framework.
DeepSeek under increasing global scrutiny
DeepSeek made headlines earlier this year after claiming its AI model could compete with U.S. leaders like OpenAI at a fraction of the cost. But concerns over its data practices have spread quickly. Italy banned the app earlier this year, and the Netherlands has blocked it on government devices. Belgium has issued usage warnings, and Spain is conducting its own investigation. The U.K. has left the decision up to individuals, while stating it will take protective steps if national security threats are identified.
In the U.S., lawmakers are reportedly preparing legislation to ban the use of any Chinese-developed AI models across federal agencies. A recent Reuters investigation also revealed that DeepSeek is contributing to military and intelligence operations in China.
Rising calls for AI oversight
This incident adds to growing calls within the EU and other democratic countries for stricter oversight of foreign-developed AI platforms. It reflects a broader geopolitical shift, where data privacy and digital sovereignty are becoming central to national security.
The pressure now falls on Apple and Google to decide whether DeepSeek’s data practices violate platform rules and regulatory expectations across Europe.
(Credit: Reuters)
