Germany demands Apple, Google remove Chinese AI firm's app over data privacy concerns

By willowt // 2025-06-29

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German data regulator orders Apple and Google to remove DeepSeek’s AI app over unlawful data transfers to China.
Concerns cite China’s extensive authority over corporate data under GDPR-guided scrutiny.
App’s removal could foreshadow an EU-wide ban amid growing regulatory pressure.
DeepSeek, which claims equivalence to U.S. models at lower cost, faces scrutiny in Italy, Netherlands and U.S. military ties.
Critics warn the crackdown raises broader debates over innovation, privacy and cross-border tech governance.

Germany’s data protection commissioner has directed Apple and Google to remove Chinese artificial intelligence firm DeepSeek’s app from their platforms in Germany, citing violations of European privacy laws. Berlin’s Commissioner Meike Kamp accused DeepSeek of illegally transferring user data to China without adequate safeguards, where it may be accessible to Chinese authorities. In a statement released June 27, Kamp said DeepSeek had failed to provide “convincing evidence” that its handling of German user data met the stringent protections required by the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). “Chinese authorities have far-reaching access rights to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies,” she stressed. The move follows a months-long probe by German regulators, which culminated in Kamp filing a formal complaint with Apple and Google. Both companies, which operated DeepSeek’s app in the EU via their respective app stores, must now decide whether to comply. A similar ban in Italy in February, prompted by comparable concerns, foreshadowed the current escalation.

Legal and cross-border data concerns reshape tech governance

The dispute hinges on GDPR Article 44-50, prohibiting data transfers to non-EU countries without robust privacy shields. Unlike the U.S.-EU Privacy Shield invalidated by the 2020 Schrems II ruling, China has no such framework approved for EU data transfers. “DeepSeek’s storage of queries, user files and metadata on servers in China violates GDPR’s ‘adequacy’ rules,” explained Matt Holman, an AI law specialist at firm Cripps. If Apple and Google comply, Holman adds, the ban could trigger a EU-wide precedent if other member states follow suit. DeepSeek’s website claims its model rivals U.S. leaders like OpenAI’s ChatGPT at a fraction of the cost, utilizing non-U.S. hardware. But critics note its ties to Chinese infrastructure raise unique sovereignty concerns. Earlier reports by Reuters detailed DeepSeek’s alleged involvement in Chinese military and intelligence projects, further complicating its regulatory standing.

Balancing innovation vs. national security in an AI arms race

The crackdown underscores tensions between fostering technological advancement and safeguarding data sovereignty in a globalized tech sector. Italy’s February ban and the Netherlands’ restrictions on government use of DeepSeek mirror trends in Europe. Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers prepare a bill banning federal agencies from using Chinese-built AI tools. Proponents argue such measures protect national security. “States and corporations transmitting data to Beijing risk creating a backdoor for state surveillance or coercion,” said Holman. Yet, critics accuse regulators of overreach, noting DeepSeek’s low-cost model could democratize AI access. The case also highlights U.S. tech giants’ role as impartial gatekeepers. While Apple and Google enforce app store policies globally, enforcement gaps persist. DeepSeek’s app remains accessible to mobile users in Germany via alternative platforms or direct downloads, though app store removal would significantly limit reach.

Broader implications for EU-China relations and user rights

The dispute highlights EU regulators’ efforts to assert control over the global AI race. Analysts warn that blocking Chinese firms could accelerate decoupling between European and Chinese technological ecosystems, risking innovation slowdowns over time. “For better or worse, this marks a turning point in how the EU approaches Chinese tech investments,” said Berlin-based tech policy expert Lena Markus. She noted parallels to 2022 restrictions on TikTok—and their subsequent legal ambiguities—suggesting courts may eventually arbitrate complex data sovereignty cases. Public advocacy groups monitoring free speech, however, caution against conflating geopolitical fears with data rights. “Mass surveillance risks exist in every country, not just China,” argued Margot Lightfoot of the European Digital Liberties Network. “Blocking apps over hypothetical worst-case scenarios risks stifling open competition.”

A crossroads for privacy, innovation and global tech competition

As Germany’s demand gains attention, experts urge caution in rushing to regulatory overreach. “This is not just about DeepSeek—these laws could muffle smaller competitors and centralize power among Big Tech and state actors,” said Markus. For now, the world watches how Apple and Google respond. Their verdict could codify data localization as a cornerstone of AI governance—or reignite debates over who guards privacy in an era where code often precedes law. As Kamp herself noted, the consequences will extend far beyond app stores: they may redefine who leads—and limits—influence in the global AI race. Sources for this article include: Reuters.com CNBC.com Dawn.com