Germany urges Apple and Google to remove Chinese AI app DeepSeek
Photo: Google confirmed it received the request and is reviewing it (Getty Images)
Germany has asked Apple and Google to remove the Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek from their app stores in the country, citing concerns over data protection, according to Reuters.
On Thursday, Germany’s data protection commissioner, Meike Kamp, stated that she submitted the request because DeepSeek unlawfully transfers users’ data to China.
"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 added that Chinese authorities have broad access rights to personal data held by companies under their jurisdiction.
Kamp explained that she decided to approach Apple and Google after requesting in May that DeepSeek either comply with EU data transfer regulations or voluntarily withdraw its app from the German market. The company failed to meet either condition.
She also stated that the two American tech giants must now promptly consider the request and decide whether to block the app in Germany. However, her office has not set a specific deadline for its response.
Google confirmed it had received the request and was reviewing it. DeepSeek did not respond to a request for comment, and Apple was not immediately available.
Regarding data security, Reuters reported that, according to its privacy policy, DeepSeek stores fragments of personal data, such as AI queries or uploaded files, on servers located in China.
Issues with DeepSeek
Earlier this year, DeepSeek claimed to have developed an AI model capable of competing with ChatGPT at significantly lower costs.
However, the startup has come under fire in both the US and Europe over data security concerns.
Italy has already blocked DeepSeek from its app stores, citing a lack of transparency about data use. The Netherlands banned the app from government devices, and Belgium has advised officials not to use it.
Meanwhile, US lawmakers are working on legislation that would prohibit the use of Chinese-developed AI models by federal agencies.
Additionally, this week Reuters reported that DeepSeek has been supporting China’s military and intelligence operations.
