On June 27, 2025, Germany’s data protection commissioner, Meike Kamp, called on Apple and Google to remove the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek’s app from their German app stores, citing serious data privacy violations. The request, driven by concerns over illegal data transfers to China, puts pressure on the tech giants to act swiftly. Consequently, this move intensifies scrutiny on DeepSeek’s operations in Europe.
Kamp stated that DeepSeek transfers user data, such as AI program requests and uploaded files, to servers in China without adequate safeguards. For instance, she noted, “DeepSeek failed to provide convincing evidence that German users’ data is protected in China to EU standards.” Chinese authorities’ extensive access to personal data within their jurisdiction raises significant risks, she added, per Reuters. DeepSeek did not respond to requests for comment, and Apple and Google were unavailable for immediate statements.
Apple and Google’s Android have been warned by a top German privacy regulator that DeepSeek, available on their app stores, constitutes illegal content because it exposes users’ data to Chinese authorities https://t.co/9CJQWiwbqv
— Bloomberg (@business) June 27, 2025The commissioner’s demand follows DeepSeek’s non-compliance with a May 2025 request to either meet EU data transfer requirements or voluntarily withdraw its app. Italy banned DeepSeek earlier this year due to similar data transparency issues, while the Netherlands prohibited its use on government devices. Additionally, a Reuters report highlighted DeepSeek’s alleged ties to China’s military, prompting U.S. lawmakers to propose banning Chinese AI models in executive agencies.
Germany tells Apple, Google to block DeepSeek as the Chinese AI app faces rising pressure in Europe https://t.co/bl9vbDKlNX
— CNBC (@CNBC) June 27, 2025DeepSeek gained attention in January 2025 for developing a cost-effective AI model that rivals OpenAI’s ChatGPT, according to TechCrunch. However, its data practices have drawn criticism in the U.S. and Europe. The app’s storage of sensitive user data in China conflicts with GDPR standards, fueling Germany’s action.
