DeepSeek blocked from some app stores in Italy amid questions on data use
Jan 29, 2025 - theguardian.com
The Chinese AI platform DeepSeek has been removed from some app stores in Italy as regulators in Rome and Ireland seek information about its data handling practices. Concerns have arisen over the potential use of data by the Chinese government, leading to its disappearance from Apple and Google app stores in Italy. The Italian data regulator, Garante, has given DeepSeek 20 days to clarify its data collection and storage practices, while the Irish Data Protection Commission has also requested information. Despite these issues, DeepSeek became the most downloaded free app in the Apple app store in the US and UK, offering performance comparable to OpenAI’s ChatGPT at a lower cost.
DeepSeek's privacy policy states that user data is stored on secure servers in China, raising concerns due to China's national intelligence law, which requires cooperation with intelligence efforts. Additionally, OpenAI is investigating claims that DeepSeek may have improperly used distillation techniques to replicate its models. OpenAI is taking measures to protect its technology and is working with the US government to safeguard its AI models.
Key takeaways:
The Chinese AI platform DeepSeek has been removed from some app stores in Italy due to concerns about data handling and potential misuse by the Chinese government.
Italian and Irish regulators are investigating DeepSeek's data collection practices and compliance with GDPR regulations.
DeepSeek became the most downloaded free app in the Apple app store in the US and the UK, offering performance comparable to ChatGPT at a lower cost.
OpenAI is investigating claims that DeepSeek may have improperly used distillation techniques to replicate its AI models.
