Germany to Apple & Google: Drop DeepSeek

Germany has officially joined a growing list of countries taking action against the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, citing serious data privacy violations. The latest move highlights ongoing global unease around AI tools originating from China.

Why Is DeepSeek Under Fire?

DeepSeek gained rapid popularity earlier this year, but it wasn’t long before concerns surfaced over how the app handles user data. The core issues include:

• Content Moderation Bias: Users found the AI to be heavily censored, especially around topics related to China.
• Data Storage Practices: DeepSeek’s privacy policy confirms user data is stored on servers located in China, exposing it to potential surveillance under Chinese national intelligence laws.

Global Backlash Grows

Germany is far from alone in its actions:

• Italy and South Korea have already removed DeepSeek from their local app stores.
• The Netherlands banned it from government devices.
• Belgium issued warnings for public officials.
• Spain is considering a formal investigation after pressure from consumer groups.

Meanwhile, in the US, lawmakers are working on legislation to restrict federal use of Chinese-developed AI—some even suggesting criminal penalties for usage.

Germany’s Official Position

This week, Berlin’s data protection commissioner Meike Kamp formally asked Apple and Google to pull DeepSeek from their respective app stores. Kamp said the company failed to provide adequate data protection in line with EU privacy standards.

Germany had previously given DeepSeek a chance to comply with EU regulations voluntarily. After no action was taken, the takedown request followed.

App vs Open-Source Models

While DeepSeek does offer open-source models that can be fine-tuned and self-hosted, the official app and website run entirely on infrastructure controlled by the company in China. That’s where privacy concerns are most acute.

What’s Next?

Google has acknowledged the request and is currently reviewing it. Apple has not issued a statement yet.

As more governments scrutinize AI apps linked to China, DeepSeek’s global availability may continue to shrink—unless the company takes meaningful steps to align with international privacy norms.