Italian authorities have removed DeepSeek AI from Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store due to privacy concerns about user data. Users attempting to download the app received notifications about its unavailability.
Reasons for the Ban
People who installed the app before the ban can continue using it. The data protection authority of Italy conducted an investigation into DeepSeek’s data storage and collection methods prior to implementing the ban. The regulatory body granted DeepSeek AI 20 days to submit full details regarding its data collection activities, storage locations, and data sources. CITE_W_A.
Reactions and Consequences
Despite the restriction in Italy, the application continues to function in other European Union territories and the United Kingdom. DeepSeek AI announced its achievement of surpassing ChatGPT in App Store downloads through its Chinese roots. The swift popularity surge of DeepSeek caused market investors to panic, resulting in a decline in tech stock prices. OpenAI has accused DeepSeek of using a technique called “knowledge distillation” to extract insights from its models at a lower cost. Meanwhile, U.S. officials are evaluating national security risks linked to DeepSeek’s expansion. CITE_W_A.
Global Situation and Competitive Landscape
The U.S. Navy has already banned its personnel from using the app due to security concerns. To counter potential threats, OpenAI launched ChatGPT Gov, a secure AI platform for U.S. government agencies. Italy’s move against DeepSeek highlights growing regulatory scrutiny on AI models, especially those from foreign companies. As global competition in AI intensifies, concerns over data security, ethics, and competitive practices are likely to shape the future of the industry. CITE_W_A.
The ban on DeepSeek AI in Italy underscores the increasing scrutiny on foreign technologies and the importance of privacy and data security. These topics continue to influence the global market and competitive landscape.
