Germany Demands Removal of Chinese AI App DeepSeek from App Stores Over Data Privacy Concerns
19 Sources
[1]
Germany tells Apple, Google to remove DeepSeek from the country's app stores | TechCrunch
Germany has told Apple and Google to remove Chinese AI app DeepSeek from their app stores in the country, saying the app transfers users' information to China illegally, Reuters reported. Meike Kamp, Germany's data protection commissioner, told the companies that DeepSeek did not provide
[2]
Germany Wants Apple, Google to Remove DeepSeek From Their App Stores
Apple and Google have been asked to consider banning the artificial intelligence chatbot app DeepSeek from their respective app stores in Germany. Berlin's data protection commissioner, Meike Kamp, says the app's user privacy rules violate Germany's data protection laws. "The transfer of user data
[3]
Apple, Google Told Chinese DeepSeek App Is Illegal in Germany
Apple Inc. and Google's Android have been warned by a top German privacy regulator that the Chinese AI service DeepSeek, available on their app stores, constitutes illegal content because it exposes users' data to Chinese authorities. The formal notification comes after DeepSeek ignored a May
[4]
DeepSeek faces expulsion from app stores in Germany
FRANKFURT, June 27 (Reuters) - Germany has taken steps towards blocking Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from the Apple (AAPL.O), opens new tab and Google (GOOGL.O), opens new tab app stores due to concerns about data protection, according to a data protection authority commissioner in a statement on
[5]
Governments, regulators increase scrutiny of DeepSeek
June 27 (Reuters) - Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, which said in January it had developed an AI model to rival ChatGPT at much lower cost, has come under scrutiny in some countries for its security policies and privacy practices. According to its own privacy policy, DeepSeek stores numerous pieces
[6]
Germany asks Google, Apple remove DeepSeek AI from app stores
The Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection has formally requested Google and Apple to remove the DeepSeek AI application from the application stores due to GDPR violations. The commissioner, Meike Kamp, alleges that DeepSeek's owner, Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence, based in Beijing,
[7]
Germany tells Apple, Google to block DeepSeek as the Chinese AI app faces rising pressure in Europe
One of Germany's data protection watchdogs on Friday said DeepSeek's app illegally sends user data to China and asked Google and Apple to consider blocking the artificial intelligence service. Berlin's data protection commissioner Meike Kamp said in a statement that DeepSeek's transfer of German
[8]
Germany asks Apple and Google to pull DeepSeek app - 9to5Mac
Germany just became the latest country to move against DeepSeek over mounting data privacy concerns. Here's why this keeps happening. When DeepSeek took the world by storm earlier this year, it wasn't long before it found itself in the crosshairs of governments in the West. First, because users
[9]
DeepSeek faces yet another country-wide ban -- here's what that means for you
Chinese AI app DeepSeek could be facing another ban, this time in Germany. Data protection official Meike Kamp has filed a formal request with both Apple and Google to remove DeepSeek from digital storefronts. Kamp, the Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, has accused the
[10]
Germany tells Apple to remove DeepSeek from the App Store
DeepSeek has been declared by German regulators to contain illegal content because of its security issues, and the local government wants it removed from the App Store and Google Play Store. DeepSeek is the Chinese generative AI app that jumped to the top of the US App Store, was famously
[11]
German official urges Apple and Google to ban AI company DeepSeek
DeepSeek's transfer of user data to China is 'unlawful,' said a data protection official. A German data protection official has accused the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) company DeepSeek of illegally transferring user data to China. Meike Kamp, Berlin's commissioner for data protection and
[12]
Germany asks Apple and Google to block DeepSeek app
German data protection commissioner Meike Kamp stated that DeepSeek's transfer of user data to China is 'unlawful'. A German data protection official has said that Chinese AI app DeepSeek illegally transfers user data to China, and has asked Google and Apple to consider blocking the app in the
[13]
DeepSeek faces expulsion from app stores in Germany - The Economic Times
Germany has taken steps towards blocking Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from the Apple and Google app stores due to concerns about data protection, according to a data protection authority commissioner in a statement on Friday. DeepSeek has been reported to the two US tech giants as illegal content,
[14]
German Data Protection Authority Asks Apple and Google to Stop Distributing DeepSeek App | PYMNTS.com
Kamp contacted Apple and Google after DeepSeek failed to comply with the commissioner's request to either remove its app from German app stores, stop illegally transferring data to China, or meet the legal requirements for lawful third-country transfers, according to the release. DeepSeek collects
[15]
DeepSeek faces ban from Apple, Google app stores in Germany
FRANKFURT -- Germany's data protection commissioner has asked Apple and Google to remove Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from their app stores in the country due to concerns about data protection, following a similar crackdown elsewhere. Commissioner Meike Kamp said in a statement on Friday that she
[16]
Germany asks Apple, Google to block Chinese AI firm DeepSeek from app...
A top regulator in Germany asked Google and Apple on Friday to remove Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from their app stores in their country due to data privacy concerns. Meike Kamp, Germany's data protection commissioner, said in a statement that DeepSeek's transfer of German user data to servers
[17]
DeepSeek faces ban from Apple, Google app stores in Germany
FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Germany's data protection commissioner has asked Apple and Google to remove Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from their app stores in the country due to concerns about data protection, following a similar crackdown elsewhere. Commissioner Meike Kamp said in a statement on Friday
[18]
DeepSeek faces expulsion from app stores in Germany
FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Germany has taken steps towards blocking Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from the Apple and Google app stores due to concerns about data protection, according to a data protection authority commissioner in a statement on Friday. DeepSeek has been reported to the two U.S. tech
[19]
DeepSeek faces expulsion from Apple, Google app stores in Germany
FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Germany's data protection commissioner has asked Apple and Google to remove Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from their app stores in the country due to concerns about data protection. Commissioner Meike Kamp said in a statement on Friday that she had made the request because
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Germany's data protection commissioner has asked Apple and Google to remove the Chinese AI app DeepSeek from their app stores, citing illegal data transfers to China and non-compliance with EU data protection laws.
Germany Takes Action Against DeepSeek
Germany has taken a significant step in the ongoing battle for data privacy by demanding the removal of the Chinese AI app DeepSeek from Apple and Google's app stores. Meike Kamp, Germany's data protection commissioner, stated that the app transfers users' information to China illegally and fails to provide "convincing evidence" that users' data is protected as required by EU laws
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.Data Protection Concerns
Source: PC Magazine
The primary issue revolves around DeepSeek's data storage practices. According to its privacy policy, the company stores numerous pieces of personal data, including AI requests and uploaded files, on computers in China
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. This has raised alarm bells for German authorities, with Kamp emphasizing, "Chinese authorities have far-reaching access rights to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies"2
.Regulatory Actions and Global Implications
Germany's move is not isolated. Italy had previously banned DeepSeek from app stores, citing similar data protection concerns
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. Other countries have also taken action:- Australia banned DeepSeek from all government devices in February 2025
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. - India's finance ministry instructed employees to avoid using AI tools, including DeepSeek, for official purposes
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. - Taiwan banned government departments from using DeepSeek's service, citing security risks and censorship concerns
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.
Source: BleepingComputer
The German decision could have far-reaching consequences. Matt Holman, an AI and data lawyer, suggests that this move "could lead to an EU-wide ban because the rules that apply in Germany are the same elsewhere in the EU and also in the UK"
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.Related Stories
DeepSeek's Response and Future Implications
DeepSeek, which made waves in January 2025 by claiming to have developed an AI model rivaling ChatGPT at a much lower cost, has not responded to requests to comply with EU laws for transferring data outside the bloc
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. This lack of response has forced German authorities to take more stringent measures.
Source: AppleInsider
The situation is further complicated by recent reports suggesting that DeepSeek is aiding China's military and intelligence operations
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. This has intensified scrutiny of the company's practices and raised questions about the broader implications of AI technology developed in countries with different data protection standards.As the global AI landscape continues to evolve, the DeepSeek case highlights the growing tension between technological advancement and data privacy concerns. It also underscores the challenges faced by international tech companies operating in a complex web of national and regional regulations.
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