By Hakan Ersen and Miranda Murray. FRANKFURT, June 27 (Reuters)
The German government has recently removed the DeepSeek app from app stores, reflecting a European move to strengthen digital sovereignty and protect personal data. The case revolves around the influence of Chinese companies in Western markets, especially in strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence. The decisions taken in Germany could serve as a benchmark for other countries assessing similar risks, increasing distrust surrounding data storage on servers outside the European Union.
Germany urges Apple and Google to block DeepSeek AI
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 last month 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.
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. “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.
European countries take varied approaches to DeepSeek ban
Germany’s stance is not isolated: in different parts of Europe, authorities are adopting specific measures to limit the use of the app. Each country, however, reacts with its own criteria, reflecting different levels of concern regarding privacy and digital security. While some governments opt for outright bans, others prefer more prolonged analyses before making any final decisions.
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. “Further analyses are underway to evaluate the approach to be followed,” a government spokesperson said. In Spain, the consumer rights group OCU asked the government’s data protection agency in February to investigate threats likely posed by DeepSeek, though no ban has come into force. The British government said “the use of DeepSeek remains a personal choice for members of the public.”
“We continue to monitor any national security threats to UK citizens and their data from all sources,” a spokesperson for Britain’s technology ministry said. “If evidence of threats arises, we will not hesitate to take the appropriate steps to protect our national security.” U.S. lawmakers plan to introduce a bill that would ban U.S. executive agencies from using any AI models developed in China.
Global scrutiny of Chinese AI models intensifies
Outside Europe, the debate is also gaining momentum, particularly in the United States, where lawmakers are already articulating specific bans on AI models developed in China. This global pressure creates a challenging environment for companies like DeepSeek, which are trying to expand internationally amid growing regulatory restrictions.
By bringing together different perspectives, it becomes clear that the controversy surrounding DeepSeek is beyond purely technical issues. It reflects geopolitical tensions and the quest for greater digital autonomy by Western governments. The decisions made now could redefine the rules of operation for artificial intelligence companies, and the balance between technological innovation and data protection.