In this photo illustration, the DeepSeek logo is seen showing the DeepSeek logo on the smartphone screen, showing the EU flag in the background.
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A German data protection regulator said on Friday that DeepSeek’s app illegally sent user data to China and asked Google and apple Consider blocking AI services.
Berlin Data Protection Commissioner Meike Kamp said in a statement that it is “illegal” for DeepSeek to transfer German user data to China.
There is no way to connect with DeepSeek. CNBC has contacted DeepSeek’s privacy team.
Chinese company DeepSeek This year’s waves When it introduced an AI model, it claimed to be a fraction of the cost of competitors created using less advanced NVIDIA chips.
The company also has its own global chatbot AI app, which has been downloaded millions of times and has been reviewed.
Some experts say that if the case against DeepSeek progresses in Germany, it could lead to the app being banned within the scope of the app.
“Of course, this incident could lead to an EU-wide ban, as the rules elsewhere in Germany and elsewhere in the UK are the same,” Cripps expert and data lawyer Matt Holman told CNBC via email. But there are several steps that will become reality.
What is the German problem with DeepSeek?
“DeepSeek cannot convincingly prove to my authority that German users’ data is protected by data equivalent to the EU in China,” said Kemp of Germany. “The Chinese authorities have extensive access rights in the field of influence of Chinese companies.”
Under the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation – the Group’s Large Data Protection Act – companies are prohibited from sending data outside the region unless they arrive in the country. These safeguards must meet European GDPR requirements.
In short, the Berlin Data Protection Commissioner is concerned that Chinese authorities can access German user data sent to China by DeepSeek.
What’s next?
Berlin data regulator said on Friday it had informed Apple and Google of DeepSeek’s alleged violations and expected the U.S. tech giants would conduct a “timely review” to see if their respective app stores were banned.
It is not clear whether Google and Apple will comply. CNBC has contacted the two companies.
Cripps’ Holman said that despite the potential for a ban across the EU, it would be a suitable step to reach a consensus among the group’s regulators first.
Holman said that if Apple and Google remove DeepSeek from their app stores, this would effectively constitute an EU-wide ban.
“The impact on DeepSeek is undoubtedly likely to be very distinct. Access to data for German citizens will be restricted. In short, if other national regulators follow suitability for the EU, this could extend to the rest of the EU, which means the EU and may cut Apple, which could cut markets if Apple bans the app.”
This is not the first time DeepSeek has run with regulators in Europe. Italian data protection authorities in February Ordered DeepSeek Block its applications in the country. Meanwhile, Irish authorities asked DeepSeek to provide information about its data processing in January.
