A third German data protection official is suing to block them. They are calling on tech giants Apple and Google to get the Chinese AI app DeepSeek out of their app stores. Serious concerns remain about the app’s data transfer practices. These practices violate European Union laws regarding user privacy, which has led to the request.
Meike Kamp, Berlin’s Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, has filed action against DeepSeek. She filed the app with Apple and Google after finding out it moves users’ data to China without any protections in place. DeepSeek, developed and operated from China, reportedly lacks convincing evidence to demonstrate that it protects users’ data in compliance with EU regulations.
Kamp echoed lawmakers’ questions over the app’s data management with potential harmful repercussions. She stated, “Chinese authorities have far-reaching access rights to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies.” We commend this statement for recognizing the substantial dangers posed by allowing this app to remain on the EU market. It highlights the risk of doing business in this way.
DeepSeek’s privacy policy clearly states that all user data is collected, saved, and stored in China. This practice is highly troubling. Earlier this year, Italy outlawed DeepSeek from its app stores over similar data protection concerns. The Italian authorities listed insufficient user data protection as the main justification for the prohibition.
Kamp has urged DeepSeek to respect EU regulations regarding data transfers outside the EU-bloc. Or, the other option he’s demanding, they need to pull their application to enter the German market. DeepSeek has not taken kindly to her inquiries. Now, it remains for Apple and Google to take her report’s findings to heart and check their validity.
For now, DeepSeek is still free to download on Apple and Google’s app stores. The companies will now be required to respond to Kamp’s report. In most cases, they will need to actively decide to act in order to pull the application. Now, consumer privacy advocacy groups across the EU are raising the alarm over DeepSeek’s blatant data protection violations. Activists press for stronger enforcement of privacy laws to protect the public’s personal data.