Germany Urges Google, Apple to Ban DeepSeek AI From App Stores
▼ Summary
– The Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection has asked Google and Apple to remove DeepSeek AI from their app stores due to alleged GDPR violations.
– DeepSeek, owned by a Beijing-based company, is accused of unlawfully collecting German user data and processing it in China, which lacks GDPR-compliant safeguards.
– The commissioner argues DeepSeek is subject to GDPR as it offers German-language services in EU app stores despite having no EU branch.
– DeepSeek refused a May 6 request to voluntarily remove its apps, prompting authorities to invoke Article 16 of the Digital Services Act for enforcement.
– Google and Apple must now review the commissioner’s report to decide whether to remove DeepSeek AI from their stores.
German data protection authorities have escalated their concerns about DeepSeek AI by formally asking Google and Apple to remove the Chinese-developed application from their app stores. The move comes after repeated warnings about potential violations of Europe’s strict privacy laws.
Berlin’s Data Protection Commissioner, Meike Kamp, asserts that DeepSeek’s parent company, Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence, fails to meet GDPR requirements regarding user data handling. Specifically, the app allegedly transfers personal information from German users to servers in China, where data protection standards fall short of EU regulations. Under Article 46(1) of the GDPR, such cross-border data transfers require robust safeguards, something Chinese firms often struggle to provide due to the country’s weaker privacy framework.
What makes this case particularly significant is DeepSeek’s widespread availability. The app, which gained traction in early 2025 with its advanced AI chatbot, offers German-language support and is accessible through both Google Play and Apple’s App Store. With over 50 million downloads on Android alone, its reach extends far beyond China, placing it squarely under EU jurisdiction.
Despite a May 6 request for voluntary removal, DeepSeek reportedly ignored the demand. This prompted Berlin officials to invoke Article 16 of the Digital Services Act (DSA), a mechanism allowing regulators to flag illegal content to platform operators. Now, Apple and Google must assess whether the app violates their policies before deciding on a potential ban.
While the action originates from Berlin’s data protection office, it’s not an isolated effort. Authorities from Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Bremen, and Germany’s Federal Network Agency have also coordinated on the issue. The outcome could set a precedent for how Western nations regulate foreign AI applications that handle sensitive user data.
Neither Google, Apple, nor DeepSeek have publicly responded to the latest developments. However, the situation underscores growing tensions between global tech platforms and regulators striving to enforce strict privacy standards. As scrutiny intensifies, other AI services operating in Europe may face similar challenges if they fail to align with GDPR compliance.
(Source: BLEEPING COMPUTER)
