German Data Protection Official Urges Apple, Google to Remove DeepSeek Over Illegal Data Transfer Concerns

A German data protection official has reported the Chinese AI app DeepSeek to Apple and Google, alleging that the app illegally transfers users' information to China. Meike Kamp, Berlin’s Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, informed both companies that DeepSeek failed to provide sufficient evidence that user data is protected in compliance with EU laws. “Chinese authorities have extensive access rights to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies,” Kamp said, emphasizing that Apple and Google must now evaluate the report and determine whether to remove the app from their respective app stores in Germany. Kamp’s office had previously requested that DeepSeek comply with EU regulations for transferring data outside the European Union or withdraw its app from the market. However, the Chinese company did not take the necessary actions to address these concerns. Earlier this year, Italy took a similar stance by banning DeepSeek from its app stores due to data protection issues. Consumer privacy advocates in the EU have flagged two critical aspects of DeepSeek: the service is developed and operated in China, and all collected data is stored in the country, as stated in its privacy policy. Apple and Google have not yet responded to requests for comment on Kamp's report. This situation underscores the ongoing scrutiny and regulatory challenges faced by international tech companies operating in the EU, particularly those dealing with sensitive user data.