Jan 29, 2025 at 8:44 PM Italy pulls DeepSeek app over data privacy concerns amid DPA investigation
DeepSeek app has been pulled from Apple's App Store and Google's Play Store in Italy due to an investigation by the Italian Data Protection Authority (DPA) into its data handling practices. This investigation was initiated after a complaint from Euroconsumers, a consumer coalition, raised alarms about DeepSeek's management of personal data. The DPA is particularly concerned with DeepSeek's practice of storing user data on servers in China, which has sparked regulatory worries about data security and privacy. DeepSeek has been given 20 days to provide comprehensive details about its data transfers and adherence to privacy laws.
Despite its popularity and high download rates, surpassing ChatGPT and becoming the most downloaded app in countries like the U.S., Italy is the first to take formal action against DeepSeek, though other European regulators are also emphasizing the importance of AI services complying with local data protection rules. Apple and Google have not commented on the app's removal in Italy.
Interestingly, a similar case happened with ChatGPT in Italy in 2023 when it was temporarily banned over data concerns. It remains to be seen whether DeepSeek’s ban will be lifted or spread to other countries, following the fate of other popular Chinese apps.
- AI Chatbot
- Freemium • Open Source
Related news
External links
- COMUNICATO STAMPA - IA: il Garante privacy chiede informazioni a DeepSeek. Possibile rischio per i dati di milioni di persone in Italia
- DeepSeek blocked on Apple and Google app stores in Italy
- DeepSeek’s app becomes unavailable on Apple’s and Google’s app stores in Italy
- DeepSeek blocked from some app stores in Italy amid questions on data use
The "wise" personality with the logic of a fool that these people think with.
Regarding open-source programs with a general license, it is easy to reach an agreement with a Chinese company to establish local servers, transfer technology, contribute to the project, or derive a local project based on the readily available source code.
However, when it comes to American companies that dominate the technology sector, undermine fair competition, engage in hostile practices, and collect data without providing any concrete proof of proper usage—while using technology and intellectual property as a means of imposing dominance (yet they are considered "trusted allies" with no issues)—what would their stance be in the event of an unexpected dispute, such as one over Greenland?
Unfortunately, this is very much expected; DeepSeek has a dubious privacy policy. Here, have a good read: "User Input. When you use our Services, we may collect your text or audio input, prompt, uploaded files, feedback, chat history, or other content that you provide to our model and Services."
And some sources.
It's amazing how it took ChatGPT four months to be banned (temporarily) in Italy since its overall introduction, and how it took DeepSeek only five days after introducing R1.
ChatGPT, DeepSeek and many others (not just AI) are banned until they adapt to GDPR laws, its pointless to speculate anything beyond that...
Reply written Jan 30, 2025
I won't vouch for Italia and would only take their chauvinism seriously if EU starts an investigation against DeepSeek.
Anyway, DeepSeek being open source (MIT licensed), we'll start to see clones very soon, and certainly some privacy-focused, and even some running locally (without the need to have some 8 x H200). And it's not as if the other big AI players haven't been exploiting each bit of privacy they could gathered for the last two years.
ChatGPT, DeepSeek and many others (not just AI) are banned until they adapt to GDPR laws, its pointless to speculate anything beyond that...
Reply written Jan 30, 2025
It's quite predictable when happens to a country that doesn't like Chinese apps just like Opera, Tik Tok and others.
ChatGPT, DeepSeek and many others (not just AI) are banned until they adapt to GDPR laws, its pointless to speculate anything beyond that...
Reply written Jan 30, 2025
Thanks to give a better understanding. Sorry for the bad take.
Reply written Jan 30, 2025