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AII-1002-01201
ConfirmedA court, a regulator or the organization itself has stated the core facts, or the record cites a court or regulator source.

German Data Protection Authority Seeks DeepSeek App Removal for Illegal Data Transfers to China

Germany's Berlin Data Protection Authority requested on 27 June 2025 that Apple and Google remove the DeepSeek app from their German app stores, alleging that the Chinese AI startup illegally transfers user personal data to China in violation of GDPR protections.

27 June 2025 · DeepSeek · Privacy and surveillance
27 June 2025

Drafted by Raidu Incident Detection, an automated system.

AII-1002-012012 sources ↓
Quick facts
Category
Privacy and surveillance
Country
Germany
Source
de.marketscreener.com
Date
27 June 2025
Drafted by
Raidu Incident Detection

What happened

Berlin Data Protection Authority Meike Kamp requested on 27 June 2025 that Apple and Google remove DeepSeek from their app stores in Germany due to data protection violations.

According to DeepSeek's own privacy policy, the company stores numerous personal data including user queries and uploaded files on servers in China. Kamp stated that DeepSeek could not provide convincing evidence that user data is processed in China at a level of protection equivalent to the EU, and that Chinese authorities have broad access rights to personal data of companies operating under Chinese influence.

Reported impact

The authority reported that DeepSeek illegally transfers personal data of users to China, in violation of the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Chinese authorities have extensive access rights to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies.

Index analysis

The Berlin Data Protection Authority had previously requested in May 2025 that DeepSeek either comply with requirements for data transfers outside the EU or voluntarily withdraw the app. DeepSeek did not comply with this request.

The action was coordinated with data protection authorities in Baden-Württemberg, Rheinland-Pfalz, and Bremen. The Berlin authority can act in this case because DeepSeek has no establishment in Europe.

Governance controls

The Berlin Data Protection Authority designated DeepSeek's apps as 'illegal content' and reported them to Apple and Google, requiring both companies to examine the notice without delay and decide whether to block the app.

Google confirmed receipt of the notice and stated it is being reviewed. Apple was initially unavailable for comment. DeepSeek did not respond to requests for a statement. The Berlin authority did not set a specific timeline for removal.

Classification

Category
Privacy and surveillance
Industry
Consumer services
Country
Germany
Harm status
Potential harm
Intent
Unknown
Timing
Post-deployment
Harmed
Consumers
Consequences
Content removal
AI systems
DeepSeek
Regulations
GDPR (cited)

Sources and evidence

This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.

de.marketscreener.com
DeepSeek droht App-Store-Verbot in Deutschland: Datenschutzbedenken führen zu Forderung nach Entfernung
27 June 2025
tagesschau.de
DeepSeek droht Rauswurf aus deutschen App-Stores
27 June 2025
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