On June 27, 2025, Germany escalated its crackdown on foreign AI platforms by formally requesting Apple and Google to remove Chinese chatbot DeepSeek from their app stores nationwide. The directive—issued by Berlin’s Data Protection Commissioner Meike Kamp—accuses DeepSeek of illegally transferring German users’ personal data to China without adequate safeguards under the European Union’s strict privacy laws. This move places DeepSeek alongside TikTok as Chinese apps facing Western sanctions over data sovereignty concerns.
The Core Conflict: GDPR vs. China’s Data Access Laws
At the heart of Germany’s order lies DeepSeek’s violation of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which prohibits transferring citizens’ data outside the bloc unless recipient countries ensure equivalent privacy standards. Kamp stated DeepSeek failed to provide “convincing evidence that German users’ data is protected in China to a level equivalent to that in the European Union”.
Critically, Kamp highlighted China’s national security laws—which grant authorities sweeping access to data held by companies within its jurisdiction—as incompatible with GDPR principles. “Chinese authorities have far-reaching access rights to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies,” she noted, adding that DeepSeek users in China lack “enforceable rights and effective legal remedies” available in the EU.
Timeline of Non-Compliance
Germany’s action followed a May 2025 ultimatum to DeepSeek, demanding it either comply with GDPR’s cross-border data transfer rules or voluntarily withdraw from the German market. When DeepSeek ignored both demands, Kamp invoked the Digital Services Act, shifting enforcement responsibility to Apple and Google as platform operators.
Apple and Google must now conduct a “timely review” of the request, though no deadline was specified. Google confirmed it is evaluating the order, while Apple remained silent . DeepSeek—notably unresponsive throughout—declined to comment on the allegations.
DeepSeek’s Controversial Ascent
Hangzhou-based DeepSeek stunned the tech industry in January 2025 by releasing its R1 large language model, claiming performance rivaling OpenAI’s ChatGPT at a fraction of the cost. The app rapidly gained millions of global downloads, briefly triggering a sell-off in U.S. tech stocks.
However, its privacy policy explicitly states that user data—including prompts, uploaded files, IP addresses, and even “keystroke patterns”—is stored on servers in China. This disclosure fueled suspicions that Chinese intelligence agencies could access foreign users’ information under the 2017 National Intelligence Law, which mandates companies’ cooperation with state security work.
Europe’s Coordinated Crackdown
Germany joins a growing list of European nations targeting DeepSeek:
- Italy banned the app entirely in January 2025 after DeepSeek refused to clarify its data handling practices.
- The Netherlands prohibited DeepSeek on government devices, labeling it a “spy-prone application” .
- Belgium advised officials against using it, while Spain’s top consumer group OCU demanded a formal investigation.
Legal experts warn Germany’s move could catalyze an EU-wide ban. Matt Holman, an AI and data lawyer at Cripps, explained: “The rules in Germany apply identically across the EU. If Apple and Google remove DeepSeek, it effectively blocks access for 450 million Europeans”.
Geopolitical Ripples
The confrontation mirrors U.S. actions against Chinese tech. On June 25, Reuters reported DeepSeek is “aiding China’s military and intelligence operations”—a claim amplifying bipartisan U.S. efforts to ban federal agencies from using Chinese AI models. A draft bill—the No Adversarial AI Act—would prohibit tools developed in China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea.
Ironically, DeepSeek’s rapid innovation now threatens its global reach. Its cost-efficient AI training—once hailed as revolutionary—relied on data practices incompatible with democratic privacy norms.
What’s Next for DeepSeek and Users?
If Apple and Google comply, DeepSeek will vanish from German app stores, though existing users might retain access. Kamp opted against fining DeepSeek, acknowledging penalties would be “unenforceable in China”.
For the EU, this case sets a precedent for regulating offshore AI under GDPR’s extraterritorial powers. Future laws may mandate data localization—requiring foreign apps to store EU data within the bloc.
DeepSeek’s silence suggests strategic retreat. As one PCMag review noted: “Despite its low-cost appeal, DeepSeek falls short on features and data ethics. Better alternatives exist”.
Conclusion: Privacy as a Digital Border
Germany’s order underscores a hardening of digital sovereignty worldwide. With AI data now a geopolitical asset, nations increasingly view privacy laws as tools to control cross-border information flows. For DeepSeek, this may be an insurmountable barrier—but for Europe, it’s a defense of what Kamp calls “rights fundamental to democratic society”.
SEO Title: Germany Blocks DeepSeek: AI App Removal Ordered Over China Data Transfers | 2025
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