DeepSeek, a Chinese AI chatbot launched in January 2025, is now facing scrutiny in Germany. On June 27, Berlin’s data protection commissioner, Meike Kamp, formally requested that Apple and Google remove the app from their German app stores. The concern? DeepSeek reportedly transfers German users’ data to servers in China without adequate safeguards, violating the EU’s GDPR.
This isn’t Germany’s first action against DeepSeek. Earlier in May, regulators gave the company an ultimatum: either comply with EU rules for international data transfers or voluntarily withdraw from the German market. The company didn’t respond to Reuters. Kamp then escalated the matter by labeling the app as “illegal content” under Article 16 of the Digital Services Act, prompting a formal report to the platform operators, as reported by BleepingComputer.
Similar moves are underway across Europe. Italy has already banned the app in its stores, while countries such as the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg, and Portugal are investigating its data practices, according to the South China Morning Post. With over 97 million global users, DeepSeek’s removal from German app stores could soon extend across the EU, signaling a potential Europe-wide crackdown on Chinese AI apps lacking GDPR compliance.
Why DeepSeek Is Under Fire in Germany?
DeepSeek is facing intense scrutiny in Germany due to serious concerns about its handling of user data. At the heart of the issue is the claim that DeepSeek, a Chinese-developed AI chatbot, transfers personal data of German users to servers in China, without the protections required under the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Germany’s data protection authority has accused DeepSeek of failing to ensure that users’ private information is handled securely and lawfully, especially when it crosses international borders. This is a major red flag under the GDPR, which places strict rules on how companies can collect, store, and transfer data, particularly outside the EU.
In May, German regulators gave DeepSeek a chance to comply with the law or voluntarily withdraw from the German market. However, DeepSeek didn’t respond. As a result, authorities took it a step further: Berlin’s data commissioner formally reported the app as “illegal content” under the Digital Services Act, urging both Apple and Google to remove it from their stores.
The GDPR Violation at the Heart of the Controversy
At the center of the DeepSeek controversy is a potential violation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) — the EU’s strict privacy law designed to protect user data. DeepSeek, an AI chatbot developed in China, is accused of transferring personal data of German users to servers located in China without proper legal safeguards.
Under GDPR, any transfer of personal data outside the European Economic Area (EEA) must meet strict requirements to ensure the same level of protection as within the EU. This includes measures like standard contractual clauses (SCCs), binding corporate rules, or adequacy decisions approved by the European Commission. According to German authorities, DeepSeek failed to implement any of these protections.
What makes the situation even more serious is the lack of transparency. German regulators state that DeepSeek does not clearly inform users where their data is being sent or how it will be utilized — a direct violation of GDPR principles, including data minimization, lawful processing, and user consent.
Germany’s Official Request to Apple and Google
In a rare and decisive move, Germany’s data protection authority has formally requested that Apple and Google remove the DeepSeek AI app from their app stores in Germany. The request was made by Meike Kamp, Berlin’s data protection commissioner, after DeepSeek allegedly violated the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by mishandling user data.
The request is backed by the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which allows authorities to flag “illegal content” and require digital platforms to take action. In this case, Kamp classified DeepSeek as illegal because it transfers personal data from EU users to servers in China without appropriate safeguards, such as user consent or data protection agreements.
Furthermore, Germany claims that DeepSeek ignored previous warnings. Regulators had given the company a chance to comply with EU privacy laws or voluntarily withdraw from the German market. But with no response from DeepSeek, Germany escalated the issue by officially notifying the app store operators.
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What the Digital Services Act Says About “Illegal Content”?
The Digital Services Act (DSA) is a significant EU regulation designed to make the digital world safer and more transparent. One of its key features is how it deals with “illegal content.” According to the DSA, illegal content refers to any material that violates EU or national laws, including breaches of data protection, consumer rights, or regulations prohibiting hate speech.
In the case of DeepSeek, Germany’s data protection commissioner flagged the app as illegal content because it violates the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by transferring user data to China without proper safeguards. Since this type of data misuse breaches EU privacy laws, it qualifies as illegal content under the DSA.
Under Article 16 of the DSA, national authorities can notify platforms, such as Apple and Google, about such content. Once notified, these platforms are obligated to take appropriate action, which may include restricting access to or removing the app from their platforms.
Has DeepSeek Responded? Silence Raises Red Flags
Despite the growing controversy, DeepSeek has not issued any public response to the serious allegations raised by German authorities. Since May 2025, when Germany first warned the company about its potential violation of EU data protection laws, officials have received no response or indication of cooperation from DeepSeek’s developers.
This silence is alarming, especially given the gravity of the accusations. Regulators had clearly laid out the issue: either bring the app into compliance with GDPR or voluntarily withdraw it from the German market. DeepSeek’s failure to respond was viewed not only as a missed opportunity to resolve the issue but also as a deliberate disregard for EU law.
Now, with no communication from the company, Germany has escalated the matter by officially labeling the app as “illegal content” and requesting that Apple and Google remove it from their German app stores.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Digital Services Act (DSA)?
The DSA is an EU regulation that governs online platforms. It gives authorities the power to flag and remove illegal content, including apps that violate laws such as the GDPR.
Is DeepSeek banned only in Germany?
Germany is leading the action, but other countries, such as Italy, France, the Netherlands, and Portugal, are also investigating DeepSeek’s data practices. Italy has already taken steps to block the app.
What data is DeepSeek allegedly mishandling?
Authorities believe DeepSeek is collecting and transferring user data, including personal identifiers, to Chinese servers without informing users or securing proper legal protection.
Could DeepSeek be banned across all of Europe?
Yes. If investigations in other EU countries reach similar conclusions, DeepSeek could face a wider European ban, significantly limiting its reach and user base.
What does this mean for users of AI apps in the EU?
This case highlights the increasing enforcement of data privacy laws. Users can expect greater transparency and protection, while developers must comply with strict privacy regulations to operate in the EU.
Conclusion
The case of DeepSeek in Germany marks a significant turning point in how Europe handles data privacy violations by foreign tech companies. With growing concerns over the unauthorized transfer of personal data to China, and no response from DeepSeek to regulatory warnings, Germany has taken bold action, invoking both the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Digital Services Act (DSA) to protect user rights. By formally requesting that Apple and Google remove the app from their stores, Germany is sending a clear message: compliance with EU data protection laws is non-negotiable, regardless of a company’s location.
