Germany Demands DeepSeek Chatbot Ban: Accuses Chinese AI App of Illegally Transferring User Data to China

The Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection has formally called upon Google and Apple to remove the DeepSeek AI service from their app stores, citing serious violations of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Meike Kamp, head of the authority, stated that the Chinese company Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence, headquartered in Beijing, has been unlawfully collecting data from German users and transferring it for processing on servers located in China.

Under the provisions of the GDPR—specifically Article 46(1)—personal data collected from residents of the European Union must be safeguarded in accordance with the stringent legal standards of EU law. However, China is widely recognized for its lax data protection norms and frequent cases of excessive state interference in the operations of private enterprises. Given this context, it is highly doubtful that DeepSeek can ensure an adequate level of data security for European users.

As Kamp explained, DeepSeek lacks an official presence within EU member states. Nevertheless, its application remains freely available for download in Germany through both the Google Play and App Store platforms. The service is presented in the German language and functions in it as well, which automatically subjects the company to the jurisdiction and obligations of the European regulation.

DeepSeek is a Chinese artificial intelligence platform that surged in popularity in January 2025 following the release of its third-generation chatbot, featuring enhanced capabilities. Despite its meteoric rise, the company soon faced allegations of unsafe data handling practices, drawing sharp criticism. Yet these controversies did little to hinder DeepSeek’s continued prominence within the global AI community.

According to app store data, DeepSeek AI has been downloaded over 50 million times on Google Play alone, while amassing thousands of user ratings on the App Store.

Back in May 2025, Berlin authorities offered the company the opportunity to voluntarily withdraw the app from German digital storefronts. DeepSeek, however, declined to comply. Now, regulators are invoking powers granted under Article 16 of the Digital Services Act (DSA), which allows public authorities to formally notify platform operators—in this case, Apple and Google—about the presence of unlawful content. Both companies are now required to review the submitted report and determine the fate of DeepSeek AI in their respective ecosystems.

Though the request originated from a regional body, it is backed by regulators from Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Bremen, as well as the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur), underscoring the gravity of the situation. Google, Apple, and DeepSeek have all received inquiries for comment, yet none have issued official statements as of this writing.