Germany orders Apple and Google to remove DeepSeek AI app over China data concerns

Germany’s top data protection regulator has formally requested Apple and Google remove the DeepSeek AI app from their stores, citing concerns over illegal data transfers to China. This marks the latest escalation in a growing international crackdown on the Chinese AI startup, as Western governments grapple with data sovereignty concerns amid rising AI adoption.

What you should know: Germany joins a growing list of countries taking action against DeepSeek over data privacy violations.
• Meike Kamp, Berlin’s federal commissioner for data protection and freedom of information, said DeepSeek failed to provide sufficient guarantees that user data is protected under EU-equivalent standards.
• DeepSeek’s privacy policy confirms the app stores user prompts, uploaded files, and personal data on servers in China, where authorities have sweeping access under national intelligence laws.
• Kamp’s office had previously asked DeepSeek to meet EU data transfer requirements or voluntarily remove the app, but the company declined.

The international response: Multiple Western nations have moved against DeepSeek since it gained global attention earlier this year.
• Italy was among the first to remove DeepSeek from local app stores, followed by South Korea.
• The Netherlands banned the app on government devices, while Belgium recommended public officials avoid using it.
• Spain’s leading consumer group has formally called for an investigation into the platform.
• In the U.S., lawmakers are reportedly drafting legislation to prohibit federal agencies from using any Chinese-developed AI, with one senator suggesting jail time for violators.

Why this keeps happening: DeepSeek faces scrutiny on two main fronts that have triggered government responses worldwide.
• Users discovered the AI models are heavily moderated, avoiding questions that could cast China and its government in a negative light.
• More critically, the app’s data handling practices raise national security concerns, as Chinese intelligence laws give authorities broad access to data stored on domestic servers.

The technical distinction: While DeepSeek’s open-source models can be modified to remove China-centric biases, the app and website versions remain entirely under company control.
• Local, open-source models are relatively easy to fine-tune or detangle from their original limitations.
• However, the hosted versions accessed through the app or website cannot be modified by users and remain subject to the company’s data policies.

What they’re saying: German regulators made clear their position on data protection standards.
• “DeepSeek has not been able to provide my agency with convincing evidence that German users’ data is protected in China to a level equivalent to that in the European Union,” Kamp stated.

Company responses: Tech giants are reviewing the takedown request but haven’t committed to action yet.
• Google told Reuters it’s currently reviewing Germany’s request.
• Apple has not commented on the matter, though the company has been contacted for response.