German regulators have issued a notice to Apple and Google regarding illegal user data transfers by the AI company DeepSeek to China. This situation highlights ongoing global privacy issues and regulatory scrutiny.
German Authorities Notify Apple and Google
On June 27, 2025, German regulators officially notified Apple and Google of the illegal user data transfers by DeepSeek to China. The notice was initiated by Meike Kamp, Berlin's Data Protection Commissioner, emphasizing ongoing global privacy issues and regulatory scrutiny.
Compliance Demands for DeepSeek
Meike Kamp noted that DeepSeek failed to demonstrate data protection equivalent to EU standards. The notice follows earlier actions in May where authorities sought changes, but DeepSeek did not respond. The company's persistent non-compliance led to this regulatory escalation.
Global AI Privacy Concerns
The situation raises questions about compliance with international privacy laws and the implications for app accessibility on major platforms. DeepSeek was previously investigated by Italy and banned by South Korea for similar reasons, indicating a pattern in its operations. Reactions from the industry and government have varied, with Apple and Google yet to make public statements, and observers closely monitoring the situation.
The DeepSeek case reflects a growing global trend where countries like Italy and South Korea have taken action against AI apps over privacy concerns, illustrating heightened regulatory focus.
