Germany's data protection commissioner, Meike Kamp, has urged Apple and Google to remove the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from their app stores due to concerns about the illegal transfer of personal data to China.

Kamp expressed that DeepSeek has not provided sufficient evidence that the data of German users is protected in China at a level comparable to European Union standards.

DeepSeek's privacy policy reveals that it stores user data on servers in China, raising alarms since Chinese authorities have extensive access to data held by domestic companies.

Amid concerns regarding DeepSeek's potential ties to Chinese military and intelligence operations, U.S. lawmakers are considering legislation to ban the use of AI models developed in China by federal agencies.

DeepSeek gained significant attention in January 2025 for claiming to have developed a competitive AI model at a lower cost than established companies like OpenAI, but it now faces increasing scrutiny over its data security practices.

The app has already faced bans in several European countries, including Italy, which prohibited its use due to concerns over data handling, while Belgium and the Netherlands have issued warnings against its use.

In Spain, a consumer rights group has called for an investigation into DeepSeek's data practices, and the UK government is monitoring potential national security threats associated with the app.

Google has acknowledged Germany's request and is currently reviewing it, while Apple has yet to respond, and DeepSeek has not provided any comments to media inquiries.

Germany's demand for action against DeepSeek further undermines the startup's global credibility as governments grow increasingly cautious towards foreign AI platforms and their data governance.

The rapid growth of Chinese firms like DeepSeek is perceived as a challenge to Western technological dominance, prompting efforts to suppress them under vague national security justifications.

The treatment of companies like DeepSeek and Hikvision is argued to disrupt market rules and fair competition, ultimately affecting global economic development and supply chains.

In response to the scrutiny, the Chinese government has asserted that it does not compel companies to collect data illegally and opposes the politicization of trade and technology issues.