Berlin Regulator Directs Apple and Google to Remove DeepSeek

A German data protection authority has mandated that Apple and Google remove the Chinese-developed DeepSeek AI application from their app marketplaces. This action follows DeepSeek’s failure to comply with established European privacy and digital service regulations.

The Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection classified DeepSeek as “illegal content,” signifying serious violations of data handling practices. According to Commissioner Meike Kamp, Chinese authorities maintain unilateral access to user data, which undermines the enforceable rights guaranteed to users within the European Union.

DeepSeek’s parent organization, Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence, ignored requests to halt data transmission to China or to voluntarily remove the app, prompting regulatory action. This company lacks a physical presence in Europe and reportedly collects sensitive personal data, including chat histories and geolocation, which is then transmitted to Chinese servers.

Regulations governing the international transfer of data stipulate that companies outside the EU must provide protections equivalent to those dictated by European laws. This standard poses significant challenges, particularly for firms based in authoritarian regimes like China, as no adequacy decision has been issued by the EU regarding data privacy in China.

“The transfer of user data by DeepSeek to China is illegal,” Kamp stated, further pressing both Apple and Google to conduct due diligence in blocking the app. This decision follows the enforcement of the Digital Services Act, which aims to regulate online platforms more stringently.

Previously, Italy’s data authority had also impeded DeepSeek’s operations within its borders, commanding the app’s removal from national app stores, as reported by various outlets. Other Asian nations have prohibited its use on official devices, highlighting global concern over data privacy and security stemming from the app’s operations.

In response to competitive pressures, DeepSeek asserted that its R1 reasoning model was developed at significantly reduced costs compared to similar technologies like ChatGPT. However, the company’s ongoing legal struggles and concerns about user data privacy continue to overshadow its technological advancements, marking a pivotal moment in the scrutiny surrounding foreign-developed applications.