German data protection official wants Apple, Google to remove DeepSeek from the country’s app stores

A German data protection authority has taken action against the Chinese AI application DeepSeek, urging both Apple and Google to remove it from their app stores. Meike Kamp, the Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information in Berlin, has asserted that DeepSeek illegally transfers user data to China. Kamp expressed concerns that DeepSeek failed to provide adequate proof that it safeguards user information in accordance with European Union regulations. "Chinese authorities have extensive access rights to personal data held by companies operating within their jurisdiction," she stated, emphasizing the need for a thorough review by the tech giants. Her office had previously requested that DeepSeek either comply with EU data transfer laws or withdraw its app from the German market. However, the Chinese company did not respond to these demands. Earlier this year, Italy took similar action, banning DeepSeek from its app stores due to comparable data protection issues. Consumer privacy advocates in the EU have raised significant alarms regarding DeepSeek, particularly noting that the app is both developed and operated from China. According to its privacy policy, the data collected by DeepSeek is stored in its country of origin. As of now, Apple and Google have not provided comments on this unfolding situation.