The Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) application DeepSeek has been blocked in Italy due to concerns about the protection of personal data. The decision was announced by Italy’s national data protection authority, Garante, on January 30, 2025. The move follows Italy’s investigation into how the application handles user data and whether it poses a risk to the privacy of Italian citizens.
The regulatory body had previously requested detailed information from DeepSeek about its data practices, specifically regarding what personal data the app collects, why it collects it, and whether the data is stored in China. However, DeepSeek’s response was deemed insufficient. The company claimed that it does not operate within Italy and, therefore, does not fall under the jurisdiction of European privacy laws. Garante rejected this explanation, finding it inadequate and concerning.
As a result of the regulator’s emergency order, the DeepSeek application has been removed from digital stores for Italian users. Despite this, the app’s web version remains accessible. The move is part of Italy’s broader efforts to safeguard user data amid growing concerns over foreign tech companies’ handling of personal information.
Furthermore, Microsoft has raised alarms about suspicious activity involving the Chinese startup, suggesting that DeepSeek may have used OpenAI’s API for an undisclosed purpose, potentially to develop a competing AI model, R1. This development is currently under investigation, adding to the growing scrutiny surrounding DeepSeek’s operations.
The decision to block DeepSeek highlights ongoing concerns in Europe about the potential misuse of personal data by foreign technology companies, especially those from China, where regulations around data privacy are significantly different from European standards. It also signals Italy’s increasing vigilance over data protection, with the country taking firm steps to ensure the privacy of its citizens in the face of rising digital threats.
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