A European country is pressing Apple and Google to remove the DeepSeek AI app from their app stores. This action comes amid concerns regarding data privacy and the app’s connections to the Chinese government. DeepSeek, which gained attention in January for its Large Language Model (LLM), became the number one free app in the U.S. App Store, surpassing established competitors like ChatGPT. However, it was soon revealed that DeepSeek’s responses are regulated by the Chinese government, particularly when queries could potentially portray China in a negative light.
Furthermore, the app’s privacy policy indicated that it stores users’ data, including personal prompts and files, on servers in China. This raises alarms, as Chinese intelligence laws permit government access to such data. Germany’s top data protection official, Meike Kamp, has requested that Apple and Google remove DeepSeek, citing illegal transfer of user data to China. Kamp expressed concerns that DeepSeek has failed to provide sufficient evidence that German users’ data enjoy protection comparable to that offered by European Union laws.
Similar actions have already been taken in Italy and South Korea, and the app has been banned on government devices in the Netherlands. As for Germany’s decision, Apple and Google have been tasked with reviewing Kamp’s request but have not been given a specific deadline. The implications of DeepSeek extend beyond Germany, as U.S. lawmakers plan to ban the use of any AI models developed in China, including DeepSeek, for executive agencies. Currently, DeepSeek remains available for download in the U.S. on both the App Store and Play Store.