Germany’s data protection commissioner is calling on Apple and Google to remove the Chinese AI app DeepSeek from their app stores. The arose largely due to fears that the app funnels user data back to China.
Commissioner Meike Kamp stated the request was made because DeepSeek “illegally transfers users’ personal data to China.” She stressed that the company failed to prove it meets the European Union’s strict privacy standards.
“Chinese authorities have far-reaching access rights to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies,” Kamp warned.
According to DeepSeek’s own privacy policy, it stores user data—including AI requests and uploaded files—on servers located in China. The commissioner’s office had asked the company back in May to comply with EU data transfer laws or remove its app voluntarily. DeepSeek did neither.
Google confirmed it received the request and is currently reviewing it. Apple has yet to respond.
DeepSeek made headlines earlier this year after claiming it had created an AI model on par with those from OpenAI—at a fraction of the cost. But its rise has triggered serious concerns across Europe and the U.S. about data security.
Italy banned the app from its stores earlier this year. The Netherlands banned it from government devices. Belgium advised officials not to use it. Spain is investigating it. And the U.K. says it’s monitoring potential threats.
Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers are drafting legislation to block federal agencies from using Chinese-made AI models altogether. A recent Reuters report revealed DeepSeek is linked to China’s military and intelligence operations.
For now, Germany’s warning adds pressure on tech giants to make a decision. As Kamp put it, “DeepSeek has not been able to provide my agency with convincing evidence” that users’ data is safe.
The future of DeepSeek in Western markets is looking increasingly uncertain.
