Germany Moves to Block DeepSeek Over Data Privacy Risks

Germany Cracks Down on Chinese AI App DeepSeek

A fresh data privacy dispute is unfolding in Germany as the country’s data protection commissioner has formally requested Apple and Google to remove the Chinese AI app DeepSeek from their app stores. The move comes amid mounting concerns over how personal data is handled by Chinese tech firms operating in Europe, especially when sensitive user information is involved.

Commissioner Meike Kamp (pictured) issued a statement on Friday confirming the action, accusing DeepSeek of illegally transferring German users’ personal data to China without adequate safeguards. “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. This development mirrors growing scrutiny in other European countries and the United States over Chinese AI applications and their data security standards.

Alarming Privacy Gaps and Official Warnings

According to DeepSeek’s own privacy policy, a wide range of user data — including AI chat requests and uploaded files — is stored on servers located in China. German authorities argue that this practice leaves personal data vulnerable, as Chinese laws grant sweeping access rights to government authorities over any data handled by companies under their jurisdiction.

Kamp revealed that her office had contacted DeepSeek in May, requesting either compliance with EU-standard data transfer regulations or a voluntary withdrawal of its app from the German market. The Chinese firm reportedly failed to meet either demand, prompting this week’s formal request for removal.

Neither DeepSeek nor representatives from Apple and Google have provided public statements in response to the developments. Both U.S. tech giants are now expected to review the request and decide whether to block DeepSeek’s app in Germany, though no clear deadline has been set for their decision.

A Growing Pattern of International Restrictions

DeepSeek has quickly become one of the most talked-about AI startups since its announcement earlier this year of a language model it claims can rival industry leaders like OpenAI’s ChatGPT — but at a fraction of the cost. However, its rapid rise has also drawn sharp regulatory attention, especially concerning the company’s opaque data practices.

Earlier this year, Italy banned DeepSeek’s app, citing insufficient transparency about how it processes personal data. The Netherlands has barred the app from all government devices, while Belgium advised its government officials to avoid using it. Spain’s prominent consumer rights organization, OCU, called on the country’s data protection agency to investigate the potential risks posed by DeepSeek, though no official ban has been implemented there so far.

On the other side of the Atlantic, concerns have been escalating as well. U.S. lawmakers are drafting legislation to prohibit federal agencies from using AI technologies developed in China, reflecting deepening anxiety over national security risks.

New Allegations of Military Ties

Adding to DeepSeek’s mounting troubles, Reuters reported this week that the company is supporting China’s military and intelligence services, further amplifying international worries about its operations. This revelation has intensified calls in Western capitals to clamp down on Chinese AI firms, especially those suspected of having dual-use technology capabilities — meaning applications that could serve both civilian and military purposes.

As debates about AI governance and data sovereignty intensify, DeepSeek’s case underscores the growing clash between innovation, state control, and international privacy standards in the global tech sector.