Germany urges Apple and Google to ban DeepSeek over data transfer to China

Germany’s data protection commissioner has called on Apple and Google to block the Chinese AI app DeepSeek from their platforms over illegal data transfers and privacy concerns.

Germany’s Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, Meike Kamp, has formally requested Apple and Google to remove the Chinese artificial intelligence app DeepSeek from their app stores in Germany. The request follows allegations that the company illegally transfers user data to China.

“DeepSeek has not been able to provide convincing evidence that German users' data is protected in China to a level equivalent to that in the European Union,” Kamp said in a statement on Friday. She cited concerns over China's broad access to personal data and non-compliance with EU data protection standards.

According to its own privacy policy, DeepSeek stores sensitive user information - including uploaded files and user queries - on servers in China. The commissioner said her office initially asked DeepSeek in May to meet EU standards for data transfers or to voluntarily withdraw its app, but the company failed to comply.

Apple and Google are now expected to review the request and decide whether to restrict access to DeepSeek in Germany.

DeepSeek gained attention earlier this year after claiming to have developed a cost-effective AI model comparable to ChatGPT. However, it has faced mounting scrutiny across Europe. Italy and the Netherlands have already imposed restrictions, and a U.S. congressional bill is being prepared to ban Chinese-developed AI tools from federal agencies.

Recent investigations also revealed that DeepSeek supports Chinese military and intelligence operations, raising further alarms among Western officials.

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