Ethical Hacking News
Germany has taken action against DeepSeek AI, a Chinese artificial intelligence platform accused of violating EU data protection regulations, forcing Google and Apple to review their role in hosting the app on their stores.
The German government has taken action against DeepSeek AI's app on Google and Apple stores due to alleged GDPR violations. The company's transfer of user data to Chinese processors is considered unlawful by Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, Meike Kamp. DeepSeek AI collects extensive personal data from users, which is then transmitted to Chinese processors for storage. The European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) mandates adequate safeguards for protecting user data in the EU, but DeepSeek AI has failed to meet this standard. The Berlin Commissioner's decision marks a significant escalation in efforts to address DeepSeek AI's GDPR violations and highlights the importance of data protection and security.
DeepSeek AI, a Chinese artificial intelligence platform, has found itself at the center of attention for its alleged GDPR violations. The German government, in collaboration with state data protection officers and the Federal Network Agency, has taken swift action against Google and Apple for their role in hosting DeepSeek AI's app on their respective app stores.
According to Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, Meike Kamp, DeepSeek AI's transfer of user data to Chinese processors and storage on servers in China is unlawful. Kamp emphasized that German users' data in China does not meet the EU's standards for protection, citing the lack of an adequacy decision for China as a primary concern.
DeepSeek AI's advanced chatbot gained popularity worldwide, but its operation in Germany without an EU office has raised significant concerns about data privacy and security. The company collects extensive personal data from users, including text entries, chat histories, uploaded files, location information, device details, and network information. This data is then transmitted to Chinese processors for storage.
The European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) mandates that companies implementing their services in the EU must provide adequate safeguards for the protection of users' personal data. However, DeepSeek AI has failed to convincingly demonstrate that German users' data in China is protected at a level equivalent to the EU. Chinese authorities have been criticized for their far-reaching rights of access to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies.
The Berlin Commissioner's decision to invoke the Digital Services Act and report the app to Apple and Google on June 27, 2025, marks a significant escalation in the government's efforts to address DeepSeek AI's alleged GDPR violations. Both Google and Apple are required to review the report and take action, which may include removing the app from their stores or forcing DeepSeek AI to comply with EU data protection regulations.
This development highlights the importance of data protection and security in the digital age. As technology advances, so do the risks associated with data breaches and non-compliance with regulatory frameworks like GDPR. Germany's actions serve as a warning to other companies operating in the EU to ensure they meet the necessary standards for protecting users' personal data.
The incident also underscores the need for greater international cooperation in addressing cross-border data transfer issues. China's lack of an adequacy decision under the GDPR makes it challenging for companies like DeepSeek AI to comply with EU regulations while operating globally. The German government's actions demonstrate its commitment to safeguarding European citizens' data and promoting a level playing field for businesses operating within the EU.
In conclusion, Germany's push for Google and Apple to ban DeepSeek AI from their app stores due to GDPR violations marks an important milestone in the country's efforts to protect its citizens' personal data. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to regulatory frameworks like GDPR and highlights the need for greater international cooperation in addressing cross-border data transfer issues.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Germany-Cracks-Down-on-DeepSeek-AI-A-Threat-to-EU-Data-Protection-Amidst-GDPR-Violations-ehn.shtml
https://securityaffairs.com/179511/laws-and-regulations/gdpr-violations-prompt-germany-to-push-google-and-apple-to-ban-deepseek-ai.html
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/germany-asks-google-apple-remove-deepseek-ai-from-app-stores/
Published: Tue Jul 1 08:00:51 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
