German authorities are pushing for the removal of the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from Apple and Google app stores, citing concerns over data privacy violations.
The move stems from the belief that DeepSeek illegally transfers user data to China and has failed to provide convincing evidence that it meets the European Union's stringent data protection standards. This latest development adds to the growing scrutiny faced by the company across multiple regions.
DeepSeek, which gained attention earlier this year for developing a cost-effective AI model to rival U.S. giants like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, has already encountered regulatory hurdles. The startup was previously blocked in Italy due to insufficient transparency regarding its data practices and has been banned on government devices in the Netherlands. These actions reflect a broader unease about the security of user data when handled by Chinese-based companies.
In the United States, lawmakers are also taking steps to address the issue, with a proposed bill in the works that would restrict the use of Chinese-developed AI models by federal agencies. This legislative effort underscores the escalating tensions and concerns over data privacy and national security linked to foreign AI technologies.
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The German data protection commissioner’s request marks a significant escalation, putting pressure on Apple and Google to review and potentially remove DeepSeek from their platforms. As the situation unfolds, the future of DeepSeek’s accessibility in major app stores remains uncertain, highlighting the challenges faced by Chinese tech firms in complying with global privacy regulations.
