Germany’s data protection commissioner, Meike Kamp, has issued a strong ultimatum to tech giants Apple and Google: remove the Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek from their German app stores without delay. The move comes amid growing concerns over data sovereignty and user privacy in the era of generative AI. Kamp accuses DeepSeek of engaging in the “illegal” transfer of German users’ personal data to servers located in China- a jurisdiction where EU-level protections under GDPR do not apply. This marks one of the most assertive actions yet by a European regulator in pushing back against non-compliant foreign AI platforms.
What’s the concern?
- User data sent to China – According to DeepSeek’s privacy policy, everything from AI interaction logs to uploaded files is stored on Chinese servers.
- No proof of safeguards – Kamp reports that DeepSeek failed a May deadline to demonstrate that its data-handling matched EU standards; they did not respond.
- Regulator worries – Under GDPR and the EU Digital Services Act, transferring personal data without adequate guarantees is illegal. The fear: Chinese authorities might gain broad access to that data.
A broader wave of restrictions
Germany isn’t alone. Around the globe many countries have imposed restrictions including:
- Italy has already barred the app from its app stores;
- The Netherlands banned government use;
- Australia, Taiwan, South Korea, and Canada have restricted it on official devices;
- US lawmakers are now targeting the app for potential federal bans.
DeepSeek: From hot new rival to data red flag
Since its January debut, Beijing-backed DeepSeek dazzled the world with an AI model rivaling OpenAI’s ChatGPT—delivered at a fraction of the cost. It funneled across app store charts and stoked a tech stock shake-up.
But the risks quickly outpaced the hype as a Wiz Research data breach earlier this year exposed backend data—chat logs, API keys, internal metadata sparking alarm among privacy watchdogs and other nations followed suit, citing fears of censorship, data misuse, surveillance, and under the DSA, “illegal content” transmission.
So what happens next?
- Apple and Google now face the regulatory pressure to comply. No timetable has been specified, but precedent suggests swift action in Germany’s strict data climate.
- DeepSeek’s response has been silence. It’s unclear whether they’ll comply, appeal, or withdraw voluntarily.
- EU-wide implications: Observers believe Germany’s move could spark a bloc-wide ban, echoing Italy’s lead.
Final Take
DeepSeek’s meteoric rise demonstrates how fast innovation can encounter fierce scrutiny—especially when state-backed players are involved. Its challenge now: either establish robust legal protections for EU data flows, or risk full-blown exclusion from vital Western markets. Regardless of technical prowess, data sovereignty and trust are becoming non-negotiable in AI’s global race.
References
- Reuters, DeepSeek faces expulsion from Apple, Google app stores in Germany (June 27, 2025) https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/deepseek-faces-expulsion-app-stores-germany-2025-06-27
- Reuters, Governments, regulators increase scrutiny of DeepSeek (June 27, 2025)
https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/governments-regulators-increase-scrutiny-deepseek-2025-06-27 - Dawn, Germany asks Apple, Google to block Chinese AI firm DeepSeek from app stores (June 27, 2025) https://www.dawn.com/news/1920587
- NY Post, Germany calls for ban of Chinese AI app DeepSeek over data privacy fears (June 27, 2025) https://nypost.com/2025/06/27/business/germany-asks-apple-google-to-block-chinese-ai-firm-deepseek-from-app-stores-over-unlawful-data-transfer