Key Points
- DeepSeek was removed from Italy’s Apple and Google app stores amid a data privacy investigation.
- Italy’s data regulator (Garante) is investigating whether DeepSeek complies with GDPR and if user data is stored in China.
- Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) has also requested information on DeepSeek’s data practices.
- DeepSeek remains available in other EU countries and the UK, but regulatory pressure on AI companies is increasing.
The Chinese AI application DeepSeek has been removed from Apple and Google app stores in Italy following a request from the country’s data protection authority (Garante) regarding handling personal data. Meanwhile, Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) has also launched an inquiry into how DeepSeek processes user data for Irish citizens.
DeepSeek recently gained significant traction after launching a low-cost AI assistant, which it claims requires less data usage than existing AI services. By Monday, the app had surpassed OpenAI’s ChatGPT in downloads from Apple’s App Store, raising concerns among tech investors.
Italy’s Garante announced on Tuesday that it had requested information from DeepSeek on:
- What personal data is collected
- Where the data is sourced from
- How it is used
- Whether the data is stored in China
DeepSeek has 20 days to respond. The Italian watchdog also wants assurances about safeguards for underage users, bias prevention, and protection against electoral manipulation.
Pasquale Stanzione, head of the Italian regulator, stated that while DeepSeek was removed from app stores shortly after the investigation began, it is unclear whether the regulator’s actions directly caused the suspension. However, Garante has pledged to launch an in-depth review to determine whether DeepSeek complies with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Germany’s interior ministry has also expressed concerns about AI’s potential impact on public opinion and elections. With the Bundestag elections scheduled for February 23, officials closely monitor AI applications for possible manipulation and disinformation risks.
DeepSeek’s app remains functional for Italian users who previously downloaded it and is still available in other EU countries and the UK. However, Italy’s Garante is known for its strict stance on AI regulation, which banned ChatGPT in 2023 over suspected GDPR violations.
As regulatory scrutiny on AI tools increases across Europe, DeepSeek faces mounting pressure to clarify its data practices and ensure compliance with European privacy laws.
