DeepSeek Risks Removal from Apple, Google App Stores in Germany

• Germany orders Apple, Google to remove DeepSeek app over data concerns.
• DeepSeek transfers user data to China, violating EU privacy standards.
• Italy, Netherlands ban DeepSeek; U.S. plans AI model restrictions

Germany’s data protection commissioner, Meike Kamp, has requested that Apple and Google remove the app of Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from their German app stores due to concerns over illegal data transfers to China. The directive, issued on Friday, stems from DeepSeek’s failure to ensure that German users’ personal data is protected at a level equivalent to European Union standards, according to Kamp.

DeepSeek’s privacy policy reveals that it stores user data, including AI program requests and uploaded files, on servers in China, where authorities have extensive access to personal information held by Chinese companies. According to Kamp, DeepSeek failed to present persuasive data security evidence when requested in May to be enforced to the EU data transfer control laws or withdraw its application voluntarily. This action was made by the commissioner after the non-compliance by the company.

Apple and Google are now required to promptly review the request and decide whether to block DeepSeek’s app in Germany.

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Chinese startup has attracted the attention in January, when the company produced an affordable AI model that can be compared to models created by such American corporations as OpenAI, which created ChatGPT. Its practices on data security have however attracted criticism especially in Europe and the United States.

Italy banned DeepSeek from its app stores earlier this year due to insufficient transparency about personal data usage, while the Netherlands prohibited its use on government devices. In the U.S., lawmakers are preparing legislation to bar federal agencies from using Chinese-developed AI models.

The case reflects on the increasing global interests on data privacy and dangers of cross-border data movements, especially with the Chinese companies. With the growth of AI technologies, high-level data protection regulations become a burning issue to be followed by technological companies worldwide.