Germany’s top data protection authority has officially requested Apple and Google to remove the AI app DeepSeek from their respective app stores, citing unlawful data transfers to China and potential state surveillance.
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DeepSeek recently soared to become the top free app on the U.S. App Store, overtaking ChatGPT. However, scrutiny quickly followed after it was revealed that DeepSeek’s answers are censored when questions may reflect poorly on the Chinese government. Moreover, the app's privacy policy states that user data, including queries and uploaded files, are stored on servers located in China.
According to PhoneArena, Chinese intelligence laws allow the government to access these servers, heightening concerns among European regulators.
German Data Protection Commissioner Maike Kamp said her office contacted Apple and Google, urging them to delist the app due to “illegal transfer of personal data outside the EU.”
DeepSeek has already been banned from app stores in Italy and South Korea, and removed from government devices in the Netherlands.
In Germany, Apple and Google are now reviewing the request but no deadline has been set for a final decision.
Regulatory concern intensified after a Reuters investigation alleged that DeepSeek provides support to Chinese military and intelligence operations.
Kamp stated that DeepSeek was previously given the chance in May to comply with EU data transfer rules or voluntarily withdraw the app—but the company did not respond.
Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers are preparing legislation to ban government agencies from using AI models developed in China, including DeepSeek. However, the app is still available to the general public via the iOS App Store and Google Play in the U.S.
This escalating backlash may set the stage for broader restrictions on AI platforms linked to authoritarian regimes, especially those with opaque data practices and national security implications.
Source: Youm7
