Germany Moves to Ban DeepSeek from App Stores Over Data Privacy Violations
A few months ago, the AI world was caught off guard by a relatively unknown Chinese startup — DeepSeek — which began offering language models that rivaled those of major global players like Meta, but at a fraction of the cost. While impressive, its rapid rise sparked concerns over data privacy and national security ties to China.
Now, those concerns have taken a serious turn in Germany , where authorities are calling for the removal of DeepSeek’s apps from Apple and Google app stores .
DeepSeek Accused of Illegally Sending German User Data to China
According to a recent report by the Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information , DeepSeek is allegedly transferring user data — including chat histories, uploaded files, location, and device information — directly to servers located in China .
This practice, officials claim, violates strict European Union data protection laws , which prohibit the transfer of EU citizens’ personal data to countries without equivalent privacy safeguards. China is not on the EU-approved list.
Why Is This a Big Deal?
Under Chinese law , local companies must comply with government requests for data, often without user knowledge or consent. This raises serious concerns about how securely European users’ data is handled when processed in China — and whether users have any legal recourse if their data is misused.
Commissioner Meike Kamp pointed out that DeepSeek failed to provide any evidence that German users’ data is being protected , nor did it take action after being warned back in May to either stop these transfers or risk removal from app stores.
Regulators Use Digital Services Act to Take Action
With no response from DeepSeek, the Berlin data authority invoked powers under the Digital Services Act (DSA) — the EU’s new regulatory framework for digital platforms — to formally report the app to Apple and Google .
This means both tech giants now face pressure to review the findings and decide whether to remove DeepSeek from their platforms in Germany . If they fail to act, they could also face legal consequences under the DSA.
What Happens Next?
The ball is now in Apple and Google’s court. Under EU regulations, they are legally required to promptly investigate such reports and take appropriate action . If found non-compliant, DeepSeek’s apps may soon disappear from app stores in Germany — potentially setting a precedent for similar actions across Europe.