Germany Urges App Store Ban on DeepSeek Amid Data Privacy Concerns

Germany’s data protection commissioner has formally asked Apple and Google to remove the Chinese AI app DeepSeek from their app stores, citing unlawful user data transfers and insufficient privacy safeguards.

Key Concerns: Data Transfers and Legal Access

Meike Kamp, Berlin’s commissioner for data protection, stated that DeepSeek transmits German users’ data to servers in China without providing convincing evidence that these data are protected to EU standards. Kamp emphasized that Chinese authorities possess broad legal rights to access data held by Chinese companies, making it impossible for German users to enjoy the same legal protections and remedies as they would under EU law.

Regulatory Steps and Company Response

Kamp’s office first requested in May that DeepSeek either comply with EU data transfer regulations or voluntarily withdraw from the German market. The company did not respond or take action, prompting the escalation to Apple and Google. Both tech giants must now review the request and decide whether to block the app in Germany, though no deadline has been set. Google confirmed receipt of the notice and is reviewing it; Apple has not commented.

DeepSeek’s Data Practices and Broader Impact

According to DeepSeek’s privacy policy, the app stores various types of user data, including AI queries and uploaded files, on servers in China. This has heightened concerns among regulators, especially as DeepSeek has not demonstrated that German users’ data is protected at a level equivalent to that in the EU.

A Fast-Rising AI App Under Scrutiny

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, has quickly made waves in 2025 with its low-cost, high-performing open-source models that rival industry leaders. Its global chatbot app surged to the top of app store charts, but these rapid gains have been met with regulatory pushback in Europe. Italy has already banned DeepSeek over privacy concerns, and other countries are now closely monitoring its compliance

Next Steps for DeepSeek and App Store Policy

The decision now rests with Apple and Google, who must weigh regulatory compliance against business interests in a major European market. The outcome could set a precedent for further restrictions on foreign AI apps that fail to meet EU privacy standards.