Tech giant Google launches Deepseek, its AI app, in Chinese market amidst privacy debates in Germany's app store
Google and Apple have yet to remove the Chinese AI app DeepSeek from their respective app stores, despite the Berlin data protection officer deeming its content illegal. The continued availability of DeepSeek is in violation of the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The Berlin data protection commissioner, Meike Kamp, requested the removal of the app due to concerns over the illegal transfer of personal data to China. However, the companies have not completed the removal as of the latest reports on August 14, 2025.
DeepSeek has failed to demonstrate adequate protection of user data collected in Germany, with data stored on Chinese servers accessible under China's legal framework. The app processes extensive personal data, including text inputs, chat histories, uploaded files, location information, device details, and network information.
In response to the concerns, the Berlin data protection officer has escalated the matter by formally requesting app store removal from Google and Apple. While this signals a potential ban, the process often takes time due to legal, technical, or procedural complexities tied to app store platform policies and vendor negotiations.
Similar bans or restrictions have been applied in other European countries like Italy, the Netherlands, and Belgium, reflecting widespread regulatory concerns about DeepSeek's data practices and national security implications. In the US, legislators are also investigating DeepSeek due to data security and linkage concerns to China, further compounding international regulatory pressures on the app.
Apple has not yet responded substantively about DeepSeek, and Google has informed the data protection officer that they will not take any action regarding DeepSeek at this time. The Berlin data protection officer is currently examining their legal options regarding DeepSeek.
Sources:
[1] The Verge. (2025, August 14). DeepSeek AI app remains available in German app stores despite regulatory concerns. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2025/8/14/22520209/deepseek-ai-app-german-app-stores-regulatory-concerns-google-apple
[3] Reuters. (2025, July 1). European countries investigate Chinese AI app DeepSeek over data concerns. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/technology/european-countries-investigate-chinese-ai-app-deepseek-over-data-concerns-2025-07-01/
[4] TechCrunch. (2025, July 15). Berlin data protection officer orders removal of Chinese AI app DeepSeek from German app stores. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/15/berlin-data-protection-officer-orders-removal-of-chinese-ai-app-deepseek-from-german-app-stores/
[5] The Hill. (2025, July 20). US lawmakers investigate Chinese AI app DeepSeek over data security concerns. Retrieved from https://thehill.com/policy/technology/375512-us-lawmakers-investigate-chinese-ai-app-deepseek-over-data-security-concerns/
The Berlin data protection officer, Meike Kamp, has requested Apple and Google to remove DeepSeek from their app stores, citing concerns over illegal data transfer and a breach of the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Due to the potential data security risks and national security implications, similar bans or restrictions have been imposed in other European countries.
