Italy Bans “DeepSeek”: The First Country to Impose a Ban
Italy has become the first country to ban the Chinese app DeepSeek, which has been removed from both the Apple and Android app stores in the country.
This move follows a request from the Italian Data Protection Authority for information on how the app uses personal data.
A notification has appeared on the Apple App Store informing Italian users that the DeepSeek app is currently unavailable in the country or region.
Similarly, the Google Play Store also displayed a message stating that downloads are not supported in Italy.
EU Oversight
DeepSeek remains available to Italian users who had previously downloaded it and is still accessible for download and use in other EU countries and the UK.
Pasquale Stanzione, the head of Italy’s data regulation authority, confirmed the removal of DeepSeek from Apple and Google’s app stores in Italy. He also mentioned that the EU’s leading artificial intelligence watchdog, which previously temporarily banned ChatGPT over privacy concerns, had requested details regarding DeepSeek’s collection of personal data, including its sources, purposes, legal basis, and whether it was stored in China.
DeepSeek and its affiliates have been given 20 days to respond. Regulatory bodies in the EU are also seeking assurances regarding safeguards for minors, measures to prevent bias, and protection against electoral interference.
Ireland and Germany
The DeepSeek AI program, launched last week, quickly gained popularity, even surpassing ChatGPT in downloads on the Apple App Store.
However, concerns over data privacy led to the ban in Italy. In addition to this, Ireland’s Data Protection Commission has also requested information about DeepSeek’s data processing practices.
Moreover, a spokesperson from Germany’s Ministry of the Interior stated that the government is monitoring AI applications for potential interference ahead of the national elections on February 23.
Security authorities are concerned about AI applications and the possible manipulation and influence on public opinion through AI apps, particularly in the lead-up to elections.
