Italy bans Chinese AI app DeepSeek over privacy concerns. The Garante ordered the chatbot’s removal after data issues.
Privacy Concerns and Investigation
The Garante had questioned DeepSeek regarding its handling of personal data. Authorities sought details on what data is collected, the sources of this information, the purpose of data usage, the legal basis for processing, and whether the data is stored in China.
After reviewing DeepSeek’s response, the Garante deemed the information provided as “totally insufficient.” As a result, the regulator ordered the company to block its chatbot in Italy. The directive took “immediate effect,” and an official investigation has been launched.
DeepSeek has not issued any public comment on the ban.
DeepSeek’s Growing Influence
The Chinese startup claims that its newly launched AI models match or even surpass industry leaders in the United States, all at a fraction of the cost. Its AI assistant has gained massive popularity, even surpassing OpenAI’s ChatGPT as the top-rated free app on Apple’s App Store in the United States.
However, despite its growing success, European regulators have raised concerns over DeepSeek’s compliance with data protection laws.
European Scrutiny
Regulatory bodies in Ireland and France have also raised questions about DeepSeek’s privacy practices. Italian authorities took decisive action after DeepSeek removed its AI assistant from app stores in Italy but failed to provide satisfactory responses about its data handling practices.
Agostino Ghiglia, a board member of the Italian data authority, stated that DeepSeek argued it was not subject to local regulations and had no obligation to provide further information. Ghiglia emphasized that this stance only worsened DeepSeek’s position, leading to the ban. He warned that without cooperation, DeepSeek would remain blocked in Italy.
Users Still Accessing the Chatbot
Despite the official ban, some Italian users who had previously downloaded the chatbot reported that it was still operational. Additionally, the web-based version of the service remains accessible.
Ghiglia stressed that European citizens have the right to transparency and consent regarding their personal data. He also pointed out that Chinese servers do not offer the same privacy guarantees as those in Europe.
Italy’s Strict AI Regulations
Italy’s Garante is among the most proactive data protection regulators in Europe when it comes to AI. In 2023, the authority briefly banned Microsoft-backed ChatGPT over potential EU privacy violations. This latest action against DeepSeek highlights Italy’s continued efforts to enforce strict data protection standards.
As European scrutiny of AI companies intensifies, DeepSeek and other AI firms will need to ensure full compliance with data privacy regulations to continue operating in the region.
