Germany’s data protection commissioner, Meike Kamp, has requested that Apple and Google remove the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from their app stores in the country due to data privacy concerns.
In a statement issued on Friday, Kamp highlighted that DeepSeek illegally transfers users’ personal data to China, prompting her call for action. This move follows similar crackdowns on the app in other regions.
Apple and Google are now required to promptly review the request and decide whether to block DeepSeek in Germany, though no specific deadline has been set by Kamp’s office.
Reuters:
According to its own privacy policy, opens new tab, DeepSeek stores numerous pieces of personal data, such as requests to its AI programme or uploaded files, on computers in China.
“DeepSeek has not been able to provide my agency with convincing evidence that German users’ data is protected in China to a level equivalent to that in the European Union,” Kamp said. “Chinese authorities have far-reaching access rights to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies,” she added.
The commissioner said she took the decision after asking DeepSeek in May to meet the requirements for non-EU data transfers or else voluntarily withdraw its app. DeepSeek did not comply with this request, she added.
Italy blocked it from app stores there earlier this year, citing a lack of information on its use of personal data, while the Netherlands has banned it on government devices. Belgium has recommended government officials not to use DeepSeek… U.S. lawmakers plan to introduce a bill that would ban U.S. executive agencies from using any AI models developed in China.
MacDailyNews Take: Good. Better to pull DeepSeek than expose users to surveillance and misuse of their personal, private information at the hands of the CCP. Removing the app from Apple and Google app stores prevents further data breaches and safeguards sensitive user information like location, behavior, and personal identifiers.
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