Germany has officially requested that Apple and Google remove the Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek from their app stores, citing illegal data transfers to China. The Berlin data protection commissioner, Meike Kamp, stated that the app violates European data protection laws by routing user data—including files and prompts—to servers in China without proper safeguards or legal recourse for EU citizens.
The request follows a warning issued to DeepSeek in May 2025, giving the company a chance to implement stronger privacy protections or voluntarily pull the app. Since DeepSeek failed to act, Germany moved forward with formal demands for removal. The decision underscores growing concerns over Chinese tech companies collecting data from European users and sending it to jurisdictions with less stringent privacy laws.
The Digital Services Act could amplify the impact of Germany’s move. Because Apple and Google often apply regional restrictions across the European Union, a ban in Germany may lead to a de facto EU-wide takedown of DeepSeek. This wouldn’t be the first time the chatbot has faced scrutiny, with similar concerns already raised in Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain.
This action reflects Europe’s assertive stance on protecting user data from foreign jurisdictions lacking adequate privacy frameworks. With no legal mechanisms in China to challenge government access to personal data, European regulators appear united in their effort to push back against potential abuse. Apple and Google now face the challenge of balancing compliance with Berlin’s order and maintaining access to growing markets.
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