# GDPR Violations Prompt Germany to Push Google and Apple to Ban DeepSeek AI
In a significant development, the German government has taken bold action against the Chinese AI platform DeepSeek AI, prompting tech giants Google and Apple to remove its apps from their app stores. The Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection has accused DeepSeek AI of violating the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) due to its unlawful data collection and transfers to China.
The controversy began when DeepSeek AI's advanced chatbot gained popularity in January 2025, but it was marred by serious cybersecurity issues. Despite these concerns, the company refused to remove its app voluntarily. However, Berlin authorities took matters into their own hands, invoking the Digital Services Act to urge Apple and Google to consider removing the app from their stores.
On May 6, 2025, the Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection sent a formal request to Google and Apple, requesting that they remove DeepSeek AI's apps from German stores. The commissioner also warned that if the company failed to comply with GDPR regulations or stop transferring data to China, it would be considered illegal under EU law.
The pressure was compounded when state data protection officers and the Federal Network Agency coordinated their efforts with the Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection. This marked a significant escalation in the situation, as both companies were now being asked to take action against DeepSeek AI.
DeepSeek AI's business model is shrouded in controversy. The company claims to offer its services in Germany via app stores, including Google Play and Apple App Store with German-language descriptions. However, it has been accused of collecting extensive personal data from users, including chats, files, and device information. This data is then transferred to servers in China.
The Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection has condemned the company's actions as "unlawful" and "illegitimate." According to Meike Kamp, the commissioner, DeepSeek AI has failed to demonstrate that German users' data in China is protected to a level equivalent to that of the European Union. She also noted that Chinese authorities have far-reaching rights of access to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies.
Furthermore, Meike Kamp pointed out that DeepSeek users in China do not have the same enforceable rights and effective legal remedies as those guaranteed in the European Union. This lack of protection is a clear violation of GDPR regulations.
In response to the allegations, Google and Apple were asked by the Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection to remove the apps from their stores or stop illegal data transfers to China. The companies must review the report and take action within a specified timeframe.
DeepSeek AI's case has sparked international attention, with Italy's data protection watchdog already blocking its chatbot service within the country due to concerns over its use of users' personal data.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Google and Apple will comply with the Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection's demands. One thing is certain, however – the German government will not hesitate to take strong action against any company that fails to respect GDPR regulations.
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