Germany demands Apple and Google remove Chinese AI app DeepSeek from their stores, claiming it illegally ships user data to China. The move reflects growing global tensions over AI privacy and data sovereignty.
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Germany Moves to Ban Chinese AI App DeepSeek Over Data Privacy Concerns
Germany demands Apple and Google remove Chinese AI app DeepSeek from their stores, claiming it illegally ships user data to China. The move reflects growing global tensions over AI privacy and data sovereignty.
đźš« Germany's data protection chief formally asked Apple and Google to remove Chinese AI app DeepSeek from German app stores on Friday.
đź“Š DeepSeek stores user questions, uploaded files, and personal data on Chinese servers where authorities have broad access rights.
🌍 Italy already blocked DeepSeek while South Korea removed it entirely from app stores over similar privacy concerns.
⚖️ Berlin used EU's Digital Services Act to flag DeepSeek as illegal content but cannot force Apple and Google to comply.
đź’° DeepSeek disrupted the AI industry in January by claiming to match ChatGPT's performance at a fraction of development costs.
đź”’ The case shows how data protection rules become trade barriers when countries have different privacy standards for AI apps.
Germany's top data protection official wants DeepSeek gone from Apple and Google app stores. The reason? The Chinese AI chatbot ships German user data straight to China without proper safeguards.
Berlin data protection commissioner Meike Kamp filed formal complaints with both tech companies on Friday. She claims DeepSeek breaks EU privacy rules by transferring personal data to servers in China, where German users have no real protection.
"Chinese authorities have far-reaching rights to access personal data," Kamp said. The problem runs deeper than just storage location—it's about what happens once that data crosses borders.
The formal complaint process
Kamp used the EU's Digital Services Act to flag DeepSeek as "illegal content." This puts Apple and Google in the hot seat. They must review the complaint quickly and decide whether to remove the app from German users.
The Berlin regulator coordinated with colleagues in Baden-WĂĽrttemberg, Rheinland-Pfalz, and Bremen before making the move. Since DeepSeek has no European office, Berlin gets to lead the charge.
But here's the catch: Kamp can't force Apple and Google to comply. She can only ask nicely and hope they see things her way.
What DeepSeek admits to storing
DeepSeek's own privacy policy spells out what it collects. The company stores user questions, uploaded files, and other personal data on Chinese servers. That's not necessarily illegal—but it becomes problematic when Chinese law gives authorities broad access to that information.
DeepSeek couldn't convince German regulators that user data gets adequate protection in China. The company had months to address these concerns after receiving a formal request in May. Instead of fixing the problem or pulling out of Germany, DeepSeek ignored the warnings.
Global pushback grows
Germany isn't alone in questioning DeepSeek's data practices. Italy blocked the app earlier this year, citing insufficient information about personal data use. South Korea removed DeepSeek from app stores entirely.
The Netherlands banned the app on government devices. Several US federal agencies, including NASA and the Defense Department, prohibited employees from using DeepSeek. Some US states like Texas blocked it on official devices.
American lawmakers are drafting legislation to ban all Chinese AI models from government use. The concerns center on national security and data protection.
The AI industry disruption
DeepSeek shook up the tech world in January with bold claims about its R1 language model. The Chinese startup said it could match larger US systems like ChatGPT at a fraction of the development cost.
The app shot to the top of US iPhone downloads in early 2025. Tech analysts praised its performance while questioning its economics. How could a Chinese startup with limited resources compete with well-funded American companies?
Those questions became more urgent when reports emerged linking DeepSeek to Chinese military and intelligence operations. The app's success story suddenly looked less impressive and more concerning.
The enforcement challenge
Even if Apple and Google remove DeepSeek from German app stores, enforcement remains tricky. Users who already downloaded the app can keep using it. The companies could also distribute their software through other channels.
Kamp chose not to fine DeepSeek directly because collecting money from a Chinese company would prove nearly impossible. Instead, she focused on the pressure points she could actually influence: the app store gatekeepers.
This approach reflects a broader challenge in digital regulation. Authorities can control local distribution channels more easily than foreign companies operating from abroad.
What's really at stake
The DeepSeek controversy highlights the tension between innovation and data protection. The app offers genuinely useful AI capabilities at competitive prices. Users want access to these tools.
But those benefits come with privacy trade-offs that many regulators find unacceptable. The question isn't whether DeepSeek works well—it's whether users understand and accept the data risks.
Chinese companies face particular scrutiny because of their government's surveillance capabilities. Laws requiring data sharing with authorities make it hard for Chinese firms to credibly promise user privacy.
The app store dilemma
Apple and Google now face a difficult choice. Removing DeepSeek would eliminate a popular app that many users want. Keeping it could anger European regulators and raise questions about their commitment to user privacy.
Both companies have removed apps before over legal concerns. But those cases typically involved clear violations like malware or copyright infringement. The DeepSeek situation involves competing interpretations of privacy law.
The companies' decisions will signal how seriously they take European data protection rules. It could also influence how other countries approach Chinese AI apps.
Why this matters:
This case shows how data protection rules can become trade barriers when countries have different privacy standards
App stores are becoming the new battleground for international tech regulation—whoever controls distribution controls access
âť“ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can users who already downloaded DeepSeek keep using it if Germany bans it?
A: Yes. App store removal only blocks new downloads. Existing users can continue using DeepSeek unless their phones receive updates that disable it. The app could also distribute through other channels outside Apple and Google stores.
Q: How much did DeepSeek claim to spend developing their AI compared to competitors?
A: DeepSeek claimed their R1 model cost "a fraction" of what OpenAI spent on ChatGPT, though exact figures weren't disclosed. Industry estimates suggest major AI models cost hundreds of millions to develop, making DeepSeek's claims particularly striking.
Q: What happens if Apple and Google ignore Germany's request?
A: Nothing immediate. Berlin's data protection office has no power to force compliance. However, ignoring the request could strain relations with EU regulators and potentially trigger broader enforcement actions under digital services laws.
Q: Why didn't Germany just fine DeepSeek directly instead of targeting app stores?
A: Commissioner Kamp admitted she couldn't enforce fines against a Chinese company. Targeting Apple and Google gives her actual leverage since both companies operate in Germany and must follow local laws.
Q: Which specific German states are involved in this action against DeepSeek?
A: Berlin leads the effort, coordinating with Baden-WĂĽrttemberg, Rheinland-Pfalz, and Bremen. Berlin takes point because DeepSeek has no European office, making Berlin the default regulator under EU rules.
Q: What exactly does DeepSeek's privacy policy say about data storage?
A: DeepSeek openly states it stores user questions, uploaded files, and personal data on servers in China. The company doesn't hide this practice—German regulators object to the legal protections available once data reaches China.
Q: How quickly must Apple and Google review Germany's complaint?
A: The EU's Digital Services Act requires "swift" review of illegal content reports, but doesn't specify exact timeframes. Companies typically respond within days to avoid regulatory pressure, though complex cases can take longer.
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Robert Brown
Marcus Schuler
Robert Brown
