By Hakan Ersen and Miranda Murray
FRANKFURT, June 27 (Reuters)
We trust technology, but the moment it threatens our privacy, something has to go. DeepSeek seems to be finding its way out of the market really soon because of some privacy issues that have been raised. We also live in a fast-paced world where every one of us depends on these platforms or software and apps to keep our data for us, that being passwords, if I am to be specific. Additionally, some private and sensitive information is shared online. However, since the global community has entrusted these platforms with their privacy, if it is now being used for other reasons, then they should go.
Germany orders Google and Apple to prohibit DeepSeek
Germany’s data protection commissioner has asked Apple AAPL.O and Google GOOGL.O to remove Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from their app stores in the country due to concerns about data protection, following a similar crackdown elsewhere. Commissioner Meike Kamp said in a statement on Friday that she had made the request because DeepSeek illegally transfers users’ personal data to China.
The two U.S. tech giants must now review the request promptly and decide whether to block the app in Germany, she added, though her office has not set a precise timeframe. Google said it had received the notice and was reviewing it. DeepSeek did not respond to a request for comment. Apple was not immediately available for comment.
This goes way beyond tech giants fighting over the market of AI users
This might appear like tech giants fighting over revenue or clients, or maybe trying to protect other platforms such as OpenAI and ChatGPT. This is because in January, DeepSeek promised to be a great competitor against the AI platform just mentioned; however, underdogs in Europe then found out that the very “cool” AI app is sending personal data to China.
Therefore, this is not about revenue, clients or trying to block a company from soaring within the market, but it is about complying with technical rules and regulations, which include protecting users’ private information, making sure it is not leaked, and building trust. Right now, we can see how everything just unfolded, and it is not looking good for DeepSeek.
DeepSeek has not provided evidence that privacy is protected
According to its own privacy policy, DeepSeek stores numerous pieces of personal data, such as requests to its AI program or uploaded files, on computers in China. Commissioner Meike Kamp said,
“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. Chinese authorities have far-reaching access rights to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies.”
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 that government officials not use DeepSeek. “Further analyses are underway to evaluate the approach to be followed,” a government spokesperson said.
Why is this such a big deal? You might be wondering, but here is the thing: Companies are not allowed at all to just randomly send data or information unless there is an authoritative way of doing it, and not in a way to jeopardise user information and use it against them, but for relevant use. Furthermore, information should be sent with the knowledge of the General Data Protection Regulation of the European Union. In this case, this organisation is involved because it is a European issue at the moment. If Apple and Google agree to this block, trust me, it is over for DeepSeek.