German Watchdog Urges Apple and Google to Remove Chinese AI App DeepSeek for User Data Risks

Germany’s top privacy regulator has issued a warning to Apple and Google regarding the Chinese AI service DeepSeek, stating it poses illegal content risks by exposing user data to Chinese authorities. After DeepSeek disregarded a May request to either withdraw its app or implement data protection measures, Meike Kamp, Berlin’s data protection commissioner, articulated concerns about users’ personal data security. Users in China lack the legal protections afforded in the EU, making them vulnerable. DeepSeek gained attention for its competitive R1 large language model, launched in January, claiming capabilities akin to larger US systems at lower costs. Following the EU’s Digital Services Act, Apple and Google must now review the situation and take action against DeepSeek. Although fines were considered, Kamp opted against this due to enforcement challenges in China. This action mirrors a similar approach taken by Italy’s privacy authority earlier this year.

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