Hey there, tech fans! Today, let’s dive into a tale of data privacy and AI apps—stay tuned for some interesting tidbits.

Germany’s top data protection official has flagged Chinese AI app DeepSeek, urging Apple and Google to take action. The reason? The app reportedly transfers user info to China illegally, without adequate safeguards.

Berlin’s Commissioner for data protection, Meike Kamp, informed these giants that DeepSeek failed to prove it protects user data as per EU regulations. She emphasized that Chinese authorities have extensive access rights to personal data in Chinese companies’ control, raising serious privacy concerns.

The authorities asked DeepSeek to comply with EU data transfer laws or to remove their app from Germany’s app stores. Unfortunately, the company didn’t address these requests, prompting the official to report the issue. Interestingly, Italy previously banned DeepSeek from its stores due to similar issues, highlighting ongoing privacy worries.

Highlighting crucial facts, EU privacy advocates pointed out that DeepSeek is developed in China and operates from there, which complicates data protections. Its privacy policy confirms that the app’s data collection and storage are centered in China. Both Apple and Google have yet to respond to these revelations.

In short, this story illustrates the ongoing tug-of-war between data privacy and AI innovation—something every user should stay aware of.