Italy Bans Access to Chinese AI App DeepSeek

Italy’s data protection authority, "Garante," has imposed a ban on access to the Chinese artificial intelligence app DeepSeek, citing concerns over the protection of user data.

The decision, announced on Thursday, follows the agency’s dissatisfaction with the app’s response to initial inquiries regarding the collection and storage of personal data, as well as the transparency of user notifications.

In a statement, Garante expressed frustration over DeepSeek’s refusal to provide clear information about where user data is stored and how users are informed about data usage.

The agency highlighted that, unlike its findings, the app’s representatives claimed not to operate within Italy and asserted that European regulations did not apply to them.

Despite these claims, the app has gained rapid popularity, with millions of downloads worldwide within just a few days of its release.

Garante’s action underscores Italy’s commitment to ensuring the protection of personal data and maintaining compliance with European data privacy laws, particularly in the face of growing concerns over Chinese tech companies’ handling of data.