German regulators ask Apple & Google to remove DeepSeek app from app stores
It has been revealed that the German data protection authority has asked Apple and Google to remove the app from Chinese AI startup
DeepSeek faces ban from Apple, Google app stores in Germany | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/deepseek-faces-expulsion-app-stores-germany-2025-06-27/
Germany asks Apple and Google to pull DeepSeek app - 9to5Mac
https://9to5mac.com/2025/06/27/germany-asks-apple-and-google-to-pull-deepseek-ai-app/
In May 2025, German Data Protection Commissioner Mike Kamp called on DeepSeek to either comply with data transfer requirements outside the EU or voluntarily remove the app from German app stores.
Later, on June 27, 2025, Commissioner Kamp revealed that he had requested Apple and Google to remove DeepSeek's app from the App Store and Google Play because DeepSeek was illegally transferring users' personal information to China. According to Commissioner Kamp, Apple and Google must immediately review the request from the personal information protection authorities and decide whether to block the app in Germany, but the German government does not appear to have set a specific deadline for its response.
When Reuters asked DeepSeek, Apple and Google for comment, Google confirmed that it had received the notice from the German government and was considering removing it. DeepSeek and Apple were not available for comment at the time of writing.
Commissioner Kamp explained his reasons for banning DeepSeek from Germany's app stores, saying, 'DeepSeek has not been able to provide the authorities with convincing evidence that German users' data is protected in China to the same extent as in the EU.' 'Chinese authorities have extensive access to personal data within Chinese companies' spheres of influence.'
DeepSeek shook up the tech industry in January 2025 when it claimed to have developed AI models that rivaled AI industry leaders such as OpenAI, but at a much lower cost .
Chinese AI development company 'DeepSeek' is rapidly emerging as a hot topic in the technology industry, and has also ranked first in the App Store's free app rankings - GIGAZINE
However, DeepSeek's data security policies have been questioned in the United States and Europe, and Italy has banned the app from its app store due to a lack of information about how personal data is used.
DeepSeek app disappears from Italy's Apple and Google app stores, shortly after Italian Data Protection Authority asks DeepSeek about its use of personal data - GIGAZINE
In addition, the use of the DeepSeek app on government devices has been banned in the Netherlands, and in Belgium, government agencies have recommended that government officials not use the DeepSeek app. A Belgian government spokesman said, 'Further analysis is underway to evaluate the approach that should be taken.'
In addition, in Spain, the consumer rights group OCU requested the government's Personal Information Protection Agency to investigate the possibility of DeepSeek as a threat in February 2025, but the ban has not been implemented at the time of writing. The British government said that 'the use of DeepSeek remains a personal choice of citizens,' but a spokesman for the country's Department of Technology said, 'We continue to monitor national security threats to British citizens and their data from all sources,' revealing that doubts about DeepSeek exist in the country as well.
The US plans to introduce a bill that would ban government agencies from using any AI models developed in China, and rival OpenAI has argued that DeepSeek is under the control of the Chinese Communist Party and is seeking restrictions.
OpenAI claims DeepSeek is 'under the control of the Chinese Communist Party' and claims restrictions on Chinese AI technology - GIGAZINE
By TechCrunch
DeepSeek has come under scrutiny from government authorities around the world and has recently been accused of supporting Chinese military and intelligence activities.
A senior US government official announced that AI company DeepSeek is providing user data to the Chinese government beyond the scope of open source to support military and intelligence activities - GIGAZINE
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