The Chinese AI startup DeepSeek is facing a potential ban from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store in Germany due to data privacy concerns. This development follows similar actions taken in other countries and highlights the increasing scrutiny of data security policies of AI applications.
The Core of the Issue: Data Transfer to China
Meike Kamp, Germany's data protection commissioner, has requested that Apple and Google consider removing DeepSeek from their app stores. Kamp stated that DeepSeek illegally transfers user data to China, violating European Union data protection laws. She argues that DeepSeek has failed to provide sufficient evidence that German users' data is protected in China to a level equivalent to that within the EU. Specifically, concerns revolve around the extensive access rights that Chinese authorities have to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies. DeepSeek's privacy policy reportedly states that it stores various types of personal information, including AI program requests and uploaded files, on computers located in China.
Kamp's department had initially asked DeepSeek in May 2025 to alter its data transfer practices for non-EU countries or withdraw from the German market, but DeepSeek did not respond. Google has confirmed receipt of the notification and is currently reviewing the request. Apple has yet to respond. DeepSeek itself has not issued a comment.
Implications of the Ban
A ban from the German app stores would significantly impact DeepSeek's market penetration strategy in Europe. Germany is a major tech market, and losing visibility on the App Store and Google Play would likely lead to decreased user engagement and revenue. Matt Holman, an AI and data lawyer at Cripps, suggested that this move could potentially lead to an EU-wide ban, as the data protection rules in Germany are similar across the EU and the UK.
Past Actions and International Scrutiny
This isn't the first time DeepSeek has faced regulatory hurdles. Earlier in 2025, Italy banned DeepSeek from its app stores due to a lack of information regarding its data collection practices. The Netherlands has prohibited its use on government devices. Furthermore, the Belgian government has advised officials to refrain from using the app. In February 2025, a consumer group in Spain requested that the government's data protection agency investigate potential threats posed by DeepSeek.
In the United States, a group of lawmakers introduced the "No Adversarial AI Act," which aims to ban federal agencies from using AI tools developed in China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea. The White House was also reportedly considering measures to restrict DeepSeek due to national security concerns.
DeepSeek's Rise and Capabilities
DeepSeek gained attention in January 2025 after claiming to have developed an AI model that rivaled those of US companies like OpenAI's ChatGPT, but at a much lower cost. DeepSeek reportedly trained its model for approximately $6 million using 2,000 Nvidia H800 GPUs. This contrasts with the $80 to $100 million and 16,000 H100 GPUs required for Meta's LLaMA 3. DeepSeek has prioritized fundamental research and technological advancement over immediate profits which is aligned with the company's stated AGI ambitions. Unlike OpenAI and Anthropic, DeepSeek operates on an open-source model, allowing anyone to download, copy, and build upon its technology.
Future Availability
The future availability of DeepSeek in Germany hinges on how Apple and Google respond to the data protection commissioner's request. If the tech giants determine that DeepSeek's data handling practices violate German and EU laws, the app will likely be removed from the app stores.
To regain access to the German market, DeepSeek would need to address the data privacy concerns raised by German regulators. This could involve modifying its data transfer policies, ensuring that German user data is protected to a standard equivalent to that of the EU, and providing greater transparency about its data collection and storage practices.
