Due to data protection concerns, Germany’s data protection commissioner has requested that Google and Apple take the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek off of their local app stores.
In a statement released on Friday, Commissioner Meike Kamp stated that she had issued the request due to DeepSeek’s unlawful transfer of user data to China.
She noted that the two US digital behemoths now had to quickly consider the request and determine whether to prohibit the app in Germany.
A request for comment from DeepSeek was not answered. Google and Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
DeepSeek’s own privacy policy states that it keeps a lot of personal information on Chinese computers, including uploaded files and requests to its AI algorithm.
“DeepSeek has failed to furnish my agency with compelling proof that the data of German users is safeguarded in China to a degree comparable to that of the European Union”, Kamp stated.
“Within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies, Chinese authorities have extensive access rights to personal data”, she continued.
According to the commissioner, she made the choice after requesting in May that DeepSeek either comply with the regulations governing non-EU data transfers or voluntarily remove its app. She stated that DeepSeek had not complied with this request.
In January, DeepSeek shocked the IT community by claiming to have created an AI model that was on par with those from US companies like OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, but at a significantly lower cost. However, its data security measures have drawn criticism from both the US and Europe.
The Netherlands has prohibited it on government devices, and Italy restricted it from app stores early this year due to a lack of disclosure about how it uses personal data.
A bill that would prohibit US executive agencies from utilizing any AI models created in China is set to be introduced by US senators.
This week, Reuters exclusively revealed that DeepSeek is supporting China’s intelligence and military activities.
SOURCE: DAWN NEWS
