Latest news with #Kamp
Tom's Guide
03-07-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
DeepSeek faces yet another country-wide ban — here's what that means for you
Chinese AI app DeepSeek could be facing another ban, this time in Germany. Data protection official Meike Kamp has filed a formal request with both Apple and Google to remove DeepSeek from digital storefronts. Kamp, the Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, has accused the app of sending personal data to China, a violation of European Union law. In May, the official requested that DeepSeek comply with legal requirements for data transfer, remove the app themselves, or stop the data transfer. Kamp's requests were not responded to, leading to the report being filed to both Apple and Google. Here's what Kamp had to say (machine translated): 'The transfer of user data by DeepSeek to China is unlawful. DeepSeek has not been able to convincingly prove to my authority that data from German users: Inside China is protected at a level equivalent to that of the European Union. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Chinese authorities have extensive access rights to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies. In addition, DeepSeek users in China do not have enforceable rights and effective remedies guaranteed in the European Union. I have therefore informed Google and Apple, as operators of the largest app platforms, about the violations and expect a blocking to be checked as soon as possible.' It remains to be seen what steps Apple or Google will take (if any), but it's clear that each isn't afraid to respond. DeepSeek drew similar concerns from Italian and Irish watchdogs earlier this year, and was pulled from Apple's App Store and the Google Play Store in Italy, with customers being advised that the app was 'currently not available in the country or area you are in'. Other countries, while not immediately banning the use of Deepseek are wary of it. The British governemnt has said the use of Deepseek remains a personal choice for the public, but they do monitor all national security threats from any source. In recent days, Chinese search engine Baidu has announced its Ernie LLM will go open source, suggesting there are more models to come from the country yet. The Chinese AI model, which launched in late 2024, had huge ramifications for stock prices of US-based tech firms thanks to its rapid adoption and meteoric rise to prominence as a competitor to the likes of OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. 'Our office will launch an in-depth investigation to see if GDPR rules [European Union data protection regulations] are being respected,' said the head of the Italian data regulator, Pasquale Stanzione, back in January. According to Deepseek's own privacy policy, it stores numerous bits of personal data, such as requests to its AI system or uploaded files. All of this information is stored on computers in China. In our guide on how to opt out of data training, Deepseek stood out as the hardest AI model to get out of data usage. In recent days, Chinese search engine Baidu has announced its Ernie LLM will go open source, suggesting there are more models to come from the country yet.
Canada News.Net
01-07-2025
- Business
- Canada News.Net
German regulator urges DeepSeek app takedown on privacy grounds
FRANKFURT, Germany: Germany has become the latest country to challenge Chinese AI firm DeepSeek over its data practices, as pressure mounts across Europe and the United States over how the company handles personal information. This week, German data protection commissioner Meike Kamp formally asked Apple and Google to remove DeepSeek's app from their respective app stores in the country. The reason: concerns that user data is being transferred to China without adequate safeguards. "DeepSeek has not been able to provide my agency with convincing evidence that German users' data is protected in China to a level equivalent to that in the European Union," Kamp said in a statement. "Chinese authorities have far-reaching access rights to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies." Kamp said she had asked the company in May to comply with EU data transfer requirements or withdraw its app voluntarily. Since DeepSeek failed to act, her office moved forward with the request to block it. Google confirmed it had received the notice and was reviewing the request. Apple did not immediately respond. DeepSeek also declined to comment. According to its own privacy policy, DeepSeek stores users' personal data — including uploaded files and AI interactions — on servers located in China. DeepSeek made headlines earlier this year with claims that its AI model could rival tools like ChatGPT at a significantly lower cost. However, the company has since come under scrutiny across multiple jurisdictions. Italy was the first EU country to block DeepSeek's app, citing insufficient transparency around data handling. The Netherlands banned it on government devices. Belgium has issued an advisory against its use by officials, while Spain's consumer group OCU has asked its national data agency to investigate. In the UK, the government has taken a hands-off approach so far. A spokesperson for the technology ministry said, "The use of DeepSeek remains a personal choice for members of the public," but added, "If evidence of threats arises, we will not hesitate to take the appropriate steps to protect our national security." In the U.S., lawmakers are preparing legislation to ban executive agencies from using any Chinese-developed AI tools. Meanwhile, Reuters reported this week that DeepSeek is also supporting China's military and intelligence activities, raising further alarms in Western capitals.
Jordan News
30-06-2025
- Business
- Jordan News
Berlin Urges Apple and Google to Remove DeepSeek Over Data Privacy Concerns - Jordan News
Berlin Urges Apple and Google to Remove DeepSeek Over Data Privacy Concerns Germany's top data protection authority has officially requested Apple and Google to remove the AI app DeepSeek from their respective app stores, citing unlawful data transfers to China and potential state surveillance. اضافة اعلان DeepSeek recently soared to become the top free app on the U.S. App Store, overtaking ChatGPT. However, scrutiny quickly followed after it was revealed that DeepSeek's answers are censored when questions may reflect poorly on the Chinese government. Moreover, the app's privacy policy states that user data, including queries and uploaded files, are stored on servers located in China. According to PhoneArena, Chinese intelligence laws allow the government to access these servers, heightening concerns among European regulators. German Data Protection Commissioner Maike Kamp said her office contacted Apple and Google, urging them to delist the app due to 'illegal transfer of personal data outside the EU.' DeepSeek has already been banned from app stores in Italy and South Korea, and removed from government devices in the Netherlands. In Germany, Apple and Google are now reviewing the request but no deadline has been set for a final decision. Regulatory concern intensified after a Reuters investigation alleged that DeepSeek provides support to Chinese military and intelligence operations. Kamp stated that DeepSeek was previously given the chance in May to comply with EU data transfer rules or voluntarily withdraw the app—but the company did not respond. Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers are preparing legislation to ban government agencies from using AI models developed in China, including DeepSeek. However, the app is still available to the general public via the iOS App Store and Google Play in the U.S. This escalating backlash may set the stage for broader restrictions on AI platforms linked to authoritarian regimes, especially those with opaque data practices and national security implications. Source: Youm7
The Star
30-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Berlin data protection authority joins moves against DeepSeek
DeepSeek caused an earthquake in the AI sector after achieving comparable or better results than its Western counterparts at a fraction of the costs. — AP Photo/Andy Wong, File BERLIN: The data protection commissioner for the city-state of Berlin, Meike Kamp, believes that DeepSeek, the Chinese large language model (LLM) artificial intelligence company, is in breach of European law and should be removed from app stores. The Berlin data protection authority has reported the app to Apple and Google for "illegal content" calling on the US giants to check its report and decide whether or not to block DeepSeek. South Korean, Italian, Taiwanese and Australian authorities are already acting on DeepSeek. Kamp accuses DeepSeek of transferring users' personal data to China in contravention of the law, namely Europe's 2016 General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). DeepSeek has been unable to show convincingly that German users' data were protected in China to the same level as in the European Union, the Berlin authority believes. "Chinese authorities have far-reaching rights of access to personal data within the area of influence of Chinese companies," it says. Kamp is empowered to act, as DeepSeek does not have a branch in Europe, which would be subject to its local data protection authority. While there is no federal ban in the United States, NASA and the US Defense Department have banned their employees from using the app. States like Texas have banned it on state devices, and there are legislative proposals for a complete ban. DeepSeek caused an earthquake in the AI sector after achieving comparable or better results than its Western counterparts at a fraction of the costs. At the beginning of the year, DeepSeek topped the free apps in the iPhone app store in the US. The implications of the Berlin authority's move for Apple and Google remain unclear. – dpa
Hans India
29-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Germany asks Apple, Google to ban Chinese AI app DeepSeek over privacy concerns
Germany's data protection commissioner has formally requested Apple and Google to remove Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek from their app stores, citing concerns over illegal transfer of user data to China. Meike Kamp, the country's commissioner for data protection, stated on Friday that DeepSeek failed to prove it safeguards German users' personal information at a level consistent with EU privacy standards. According to its own privacy policy, the company stores user queries and uploaded files on servers located in China. 'Chinese authorities have sweeping access rights to personal data held by Chinese companies,' said Kamp. She emphasized that DeepSeek had been given an opportunity in May to comply with EU data transfer regulations or voluntarily withdraw its app—neither of which it followed through on. In response, Google confirmed receipt of the notice and said it was reviewing the request. Apple has yet to comment. DeepSeek also did not respond to media inquiries. The move comes amid growing global scrutiny of DeepSeek, which made headlines in January by claiming to have developed a low-cost AI model competitive with ChatGPT. While the announcement stirred interest, regulators in the EU and U.S. have since raised red flags about its data handling. Earlier this year, Italy blocked DeepSeek from app stores due to insufficient transparency around personal data use. The Netherlands banned it on government devices, and Belgium advised officials to avoid the app pending further investigation. Spain's OCU consumer group has requested a national probe, while the UK government has called its use a personal choice but is monitoring potential security risks. Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers are preparing legislation that would bar federal agencies from using Chinese-developed AI, with a recent Reuters report alleging DeepSeek's involvement in Chinese military and intelligence operations. Germany's demand marks another blow to the Chinese firm's global credibility as governments become increasingly wary of foreign AI platforms and their data governance practices.
