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DeepSeek has caused a stir internationally in recent months. The Chinese AI application quickly climbed to the top of the app charts, was hailed as an alternative to ChatGPT, and sparked a buzz among tech enthusiasts. But in Germany, the situation is now viewed quite differently. The app is under fire for data protection deficiencies – and the Federal Data Protection Authority is now demanding its removal from app stores.
If you use AI applications, you probably want fast answers, good results, and ease of use. DeepSeek promises exactly that. But what many people don't realize is that behind the shiny facade lie serious security problems. In Germany, DeepSeek has been classified as illegal for this reason. The data protection commissioner is demanding clear consequences, and other countries in Europe and the US are also taking action.
What DeepSeek is and why it has become so successful
DeepSeek is a generative AI app from China that works similarly to ChatGPT. The app processes text, answers questions, and writes content or code. What's particularly striking is that it was developed at a fraction of the cost OpenAI spent on developing ChatGPT. Nevertheless, DeepSeek is technologically on par—at least at first glance. Apple CEO Tim Cook also spoke positively about the app. It reached the top of the US App Store, which is unusual for a Chinese product on the US market. It quickly became popular precisely because it's powerful and free or very inexpensive.
Data protection concerns from Germany
This enthusiasm is no longer shared in Germany. In May 2025, the Federal Data Protection Commissioner Meike Kamp called on the company behind DeepSeek to adapt the app to European data protection standards. The main issue was how user data is stored and processed – and whether this data is adequately protected. According to Kamp, DeepSeek was unable to provide convincing evidence that German users' data in China is treated with a level of protection comparable to that in the EU. Particularly problematic is that government agencies in China have extensive access rights to data processed by Chinese companies. Because the company did not respond to the request and no changes were made, Kamp officially requested Apple and Google to remove the app from their stores.
Allegations about data security and espionage
In addition to the privacy concerns, new allegations came to light in early 2025. Mobile security specialist NowSecure published a report in February claiming to prove that the iOS version of DeepSeek forwards user data to Chinese services. Analysts claim the Android version of the app is even less secure.
- Another point is even more serious: According to US government systems, DeepSeek is said to be collaborating directly with the Chinese military and intelligence services. Therefore, the US is discussing a general ban on the use of AI models developed in China in government institutions.
European reactions to DeepSeek
Germany is not alone in its stance on DeepSeek. Italy had the app removed from the App Store and Google Play Store at the beginning of 2025. The Netherlands has blocked it from all government devices. A unified approach to AI applications from authoritarian states is also currently being discussed at the European level. Apple and Google have not yet officially commented on Germany's current request. However, both companies have already complied with Italy's request. It can therefore be assumed that the German request will also be implemented.
Data protection with DeepSeek: A real risk?
If you're currently using DeepSeek or considering installing the app, you should be aware that your data may be processed outside of European jurisdiction. Unlike with AI applications from the EU or the US, it's unclear how and for what purpose your information is used. And there's a real risk that it could be accessed by Chinese authorities. If data protection is important to you, you should find out about the origin of AI applications before installing them. The DeepSeek case shows how vast the differences in how user data is handled around the world are – and how important clear rules and transparency have become in this area. (Image: Shutterstock / miss.cabul)
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