German regulators have called for the removal of DeepSeek from Google and Apple app stores, due to growing concerns around the Chinese AI company’s data protection practices. The country’s data protection commissioner Meike Kamp issued a statement outlining her request, claiming DeepSeek was illegally transferring German users’ personal data to China.
Germany follows other countries in taking aim at DeepSeek, after the AI startup made waves in the industry at the start of 2025. Australia, Italy and Taiwan have all issued a block of some kind on the service, while numerous private companies have restricted access to the AI platform.
US politicians also recently proposed a bill to block AI models from China being used by government agencies.
The German data protection watchdog noted DeepSeek stores data including personal information and uploaded files on servers in its homeland China. Kamp argued DeepSeek’s transfer of user data to China is unlawful and the company had not been able to convince her office that “German users’ data is protected to a level equivalent to that of the European Union”. She continued to state: “Chinese authorities have far-reaching access to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies.”
Kamp did not give Apple and Google a deadline, but the pair will now be required to review the request and decide whether to block the app.
Source: Mobile World Live
Image Credit: Stock Image/DeepSeek
