Germany has become the latest European nation to crack down on Chinese AI company DeepSeek, with data protection commissioner Meike Kamp formally asking Apple and Google to remove the app from their German stores.
In a statement released Friday, Kamp explained that DeepSeek illegally transfers users' personal data to China and has failed to provide convincing evidence that German users' information is protected at levels equivalent to EU standards. "Chinese authorities have far-reaching access rights to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies," Kamp noted.
The decision follows DeepSeek's non-compliance with a May request to either meet EU requirements for non-EU data transfers or voluntarily withdraw from Germany. According to DeepSeek's privacy policy, the company stores various personal data, including AI requests and uploaded files, on servers in China.
This German action is part of a growing European regulatory response to DeepSeek. Italy banned the app in January, citing similar data protection concerns, while the Netherlands has prohibited its use on government devices. Belgium has recommended officials avoid using DeepSeek, and several other EU countries have launched investigations into the company's data practices.
The timing is particularly significant as it comes just days after Reuters exclusively reported that DeepSeek is aiding China's military and intelligence operations. According to a senior U.S. official, the company is referenced in over 150 procurement records for China's People's Liberation Army and has provided technology services to PLA research institutions.
Legal experts suggest Germany's move could potentially lead to an EU-wide ban. "It is certainly possible that this incident could lead to an EU-wide ban because the rules that apply in Germany are the same elsewhere in the EU," noted AI and data lawyer Matt Holman. If Apple and Google comply with the request, it would effectively curtail DeepSeek's access to European markets.
DeepSeek initially gained attention in January 2025 when it claimed to have developed AI models rivaling those from U.S. firms like OpenAI at a fraction of the cost. The company's rapid rise has prompted security concerns globally, with U.S. lawmakers now planning legislation to ban Chinese AI models from government agencies.