In October 2023, German authorities officially notified Apple and Google about unauthorized data transfers conducted by DeepSeek's AI app to China. This announcement raises crucial questions regarding privacy protection and user rights compliance.
Privacy Violations and Authorities' Actions
Berlin's authorities, led by Meike Kamp, reached out to Apple and Google, demanding action against DeepSeek, which is accused of illegally transferring user data to China. Kamp stated: "DeepSeek's transfer of user data to China is unlawful. DeepSeek has not been able to convincingly demonstrate to my authority that German users' data in China is protected to a level equivalent to that of the European Union."
DeepSeek's Response
DeepSeek reportedly, despite its recent offerings of cheaper AI solutions, lacks a physical presence in EU countries. This situation exacerbates legal compliance challenges and investigations against the company.
Global Implications and Future Trends
Increased scrutiny by German authorities may negatively impact the reputation and operations of Chinese tech firms. Currently, no financial repercussions from DeepSeek's actions have been recorded, with the focus remaining on compliance and user data protection.
The current situation underscores the growing global concern regarding data privacy and control over it. It is expected that such regulatory interventions will become more common for companies handling user data in the future.
