Germany Urges Google and Apple to Ban DeepSeek AI Over GDPR Violations

TL;DR

Germany has requested Google and Apple to remove the DeepSeek AI app from their stores due to GDPR violations. The app allegedly transfers user data to China without adequate protections, prompting regulatory action.

Main Content

Germany’s Request to Ban DeepSeek AI

Germany has called on Google and Apple to remove the DeepSeek AI app from their app stores due to violations of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection cited concerns over unlawful data collection and transfers to China ¹.

Timeline of Events

On May 6, 2025, the Berlin Commissioner requested DeepSeek to remove its apps from German stores, halt illegal data transfers to China, or comply with legal transfer requirements. Following non-compliance, the Commissioner invoked Article 16 of the Digital Services Act on June 27, 2025, reporting the apps to Apple and Google. Both companies are obligated to review the report and take appropriate action, coordinated with state data protection officers and the Federal Network Agency ².

DeepSeek AI’s Operations in Germany

DeepSeek AI operates in Germany without an EU office, providing services in German via app stores. The app collects extensive personal data, including chats, files, and device information, which is then transferred to servers in China ³.

According to the Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection:

The service is offered to users in Germany, including via apps in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store with German-language descriptions, and can be used in German. The service is therefore subject to the provisions of the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The service processes extensive personal data of users, including all text entries, chat histories, and uploaded files, as well as information about the location, devices, and networks used. The service transmits the collected personal data of users to Chinese processors and stores it on servers in China ⁴.

GDPR Violations

The lack of EU safeguards or an adequacy decision for China means that DeepSeek’s data transfer practices violate the GDPR. Meike Kamp, Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, stated:

DeepSeek’s transfer of user data to China is unlawful. DeepSeek has not been able to convincingly demonstrate to my authority that German users’ data in China is protected to a level equivalent to that of the European Union. Chinese authorities have far-reaching rights of access to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies ⁵.

DeepSeek’s Cybersecurity Issues

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI platform, gained fame in January 2025 with its advanced chatbot but faced serious cybersecurity issues. After refusing to remove its app voluntarily, Berlin authorities invoked the Digital Services Act to urge Apple and Google to consider its removal. In January, Italy’s data protection watchdog blocked DeepSeek’s chatbot service within the country, citing a lack of information on its use of users’ personal data ⁶.

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Conclusion

Germany’s move to ban DeepSeek AI highlights the growing concerns over data privacy and the need for stricter compliance with GDPR. The situation underscores the importance of data protection regulations in safeguarding user information in the digital age.

References

1. (2025). “Germany asked Google and Apple to remove DeepSeek AI from their app stores, citing GDPR violations over unlawful data collection and transfers to China.”. Retrieved 2025-07-01. ↩︎

2. (2025). “Berliner Datenschutzmeldet Ki-App DeepSeek in Deutschland bei Apple und Google als rechtswidrigen Inhalt”. Retrieved 2025-07-01. ↩︎

3. (2025). “Italy’s Garante requested information from DeepSeek”. Retrieved 2025-07-01. ↩︎

4. (2025). “Berliner Datenschutzbeauftragte meldet Ki-App DeepSeek in Deutschland bei Apple und Google als rechtswidrigen Inhalt”. Retrieved 2025-07-01. ↩︎

5. (2025). “Berliner Datenschutzbeauftragte meldet Ki-App DeepSeek in Deutschland bei Apple und Google als rechtswidrigen Inhalt”. Retrieved 2025-07-01. ↩︎

6. (2025). “Chinese AI platform DeepSeek faced a large-scale cyberattack”. Retrieved 2025-07-01. ↩︎