Germany is increasing scrutiny on DeepSeek, a Chinese generative AI firm. This has sparked some calls for Apple and Google to remove its immensely popular chatbot app from their app stores. The Berlin data protection authority is calling out the EU-headquartered DeepSeek for its purported breaches of data protection laws. Specifically, their concern was with the transfer of German user data to China.
DeepSeek brought its generative AI model to market at a fraction of the cost of its competitors by leveraging less powerful Nvidia chips. The company’s global chatbot AI app has achieved several million downloads and is moving the company into the spotlight in the competitive, crowded AI boom market. The Berlin state data protection agency has raised concerns with the app’s data practices, calling them “illegal.”
The Berlin data protection commissioner, Meike Kamp, has ruled that DeepSeek’s transfer of user data to China is “unlawful.” Kamp’s remarks highlighted the concerns with the vast access rights Chinese authorities have to individuals’ personal data tied to companies such as DeepSeek.
“Chinese authorities have extensive access rights to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies.” – Meike Kamp
In light of these findings, the Berlin authority has formally informed Apple and Google of the potential risks posed by DeepSeek’s app. The organization calls on both tech giants to promptly review the app’s data practices. If the app can’t pass the very high GDPR standards in Europe, they can ask for its delisting from their app stores.
Kamp noted that DeepSeek has not provided convincing evidence for the security of German data in China either. This security is not sufficient to meet the standards laid out in EU law.
“DeepSeek has not been able to convincingly demonstrate to my authority that the data of German users is protected in China at a level equivalent to that of the European Union.” – Meike Kamp
DeepSeek’s critical examination is not a unique case. Earlier this year, the Italian national data protection authorities forced the app to be blocked over similar worries. Soon after this, in January, Irish authorities asked DeepSeek for more detail on how it processes the data.
Now, as regulatory pressure continues to grow, the future of DeepSeek in Europe is at stake. If the corporation violates data protection or privacy regulations, it may suffer appropriately severe penalties. This includes potentially a ban on its app (TikTok) throughout the whole of the European Union. Even so, DeepSeek continues to be challenged as it works in the context of strict data protection laws. This deepening crisis follows several rounds of negotiations with EU regulators.
Experts suggest that if Apple and Google proceed with the review and ultimately decide to remove DeepSeek’s app from their platforms, this could signify a significant shift in how tech companies handle compliance issues related to user data.
The public and the media have no clear mechanism to reach DeepSeek for comment. This lack of transparency has fueled their storm over how they are collecting and using data. Just as the German case progresses, all eyes will be on Apple and Google’s moves. To be sure, their responses to these regulatory pressures will be closely watched.