German data protection authorities issued an official warning to Apple and Google in October 2023 about alleged illicit transfers of user data made by the artificial intelligence app DeepSeek to China. The responsible body, led by Meike Kamp — Berlin’s Data Protection and Freedom of Information Commissioner — asked the technology giants to evaluate the possibility of removing the app from their online stores, alleging serious failures in compliance with European privacy laws.
According to the German authority, DeepSeek has failed to satisfactorily demonstrate that the data of German citizens stored in China receives a level of protection equivalent to that required in the European Union. This lack of guarantees puts the company at odds with the guidelines of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), legislation considered a global reference in the defense of users’ privacy rights.
DeepSeek is known for offering AI solutions at prices lower than the market average, but it does not have a physical presence in Europe, which makes it even more difficult for authorities to monitor the destination of the information collected. This lack of an official presence within the EU worsens the regulatory problem, as it limits the application of direct monitoring measures, increasing the risk of leaks or misuse of personal data.
Germany’s warning comes in line with similar moves by countries such as Italy and South Korea, which have also filed lawsuits against DeepSeek, alleging irregular practices in transferring data to China. Although it does not involve financial assets or crypto assets so far, the episode reinforces a warning sign for everyone involved in the digital ecosystem.
For now, there are no reports of economic impacts or financial sanctions against DeepSeek. The focus remains exclusively on compliance with data protection standards and the legal responsibility that large platforms — such as the App Store and Google Play — must have when making applications available on their marketplaces.
Experts warn that the incident reflects a global trend of increased scrutiny of Chinese technology companies, particularly when it comes to the handling of sensitive data. Many analysts believe that cases like DeepSeek could accelerate changes in the sector, forcing companies to improve security mechanisms and adopt more transparent accountability measures. The future scenario indicates that increasingly strict regulations will be applied to companies that handle user data, especially when they involve international transfers to countries that do not offer levels of protection considered compatible with European standards. The pressure from authorities like Berlin is part of a global effort to ensure that citizen data is not treated in an opaque manner, regardless of where the companies are based. As Apple and Google conduct emergency reviews of the DeepSeek app in their stores, it is clear that the era of cheap artificial intelligence without regulatory oversight has come to an end in Europe. The episode serves as a warning not only to Chinese developers, but also to any player in the sector that wants to operate in the European market without complying with the most restrictive privacy rules in the world.
