Germany asks Google and Apple to remove DeepSeek apps from their stores. DeepSeek allegedly disregards GDPR.
The German privacy regulator has informed Apple and Google that the DeepSeek app violates legislation. The app allegedly sends personal data from German users to China without complying with European privacy rules.
Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co. manages various DeepSeek apps. DeepSeek made headlines as a worthy alternative to ChatGPT, trained with a fraction of the resources.
The company has no presence in the European Union, but does offer its services in Germany through Google and Apple’s app stores. According to the privacy regulator, DeepSeek processes large amounts of personal data, such as chat messages, location data and information about devices used. This data goes to servers in China and to Chinese service providers.
GDPR and DSA
According to European privacy legislation (GDPR), personal data outside the EU must receive the same level of protection as within the Union. According to the regulator, DeepSeek has not been able to demonstrate that the data in China is adequately protected. Chinese authorities also have broad access to data from companies within their sphere of influence. European users cannot enforce their rights there in the same way as in the EU.
The privacy regulator had asked DeepSeek in May to remove the apps from German app stores themselves or stop forwarding data. Since the company did not respond to this, an official report was made to Apple and Google on June 27 under the Digital Services Act. This allows for the reporting of illegal content.
The technology giants must now assess the report and decide whether they will block the apps. It is not yet clear when Apple and Google will make a decision, or what happens if they do not follow the German authorities.