The Italian authorities removed DeepSeek AI from both Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store because of privacy concerns about user data. Users who tried to download the app received system alerts that stated the application was not available in their geographic area.
People who installed the app before the ban can continue using it. The data protection authority of Italy conducted an investigation about DeepSeek’s data storage and collection methods before implementing the app ban.
According to a Reuters report, the regulatory body granted DeepSeek AI 20 days to submit full details regarding its data collection activities and storage locations and data sources. The application continues to function in other European Union territories as well as the United Kingdom despite being restricted in Italy.
DeepSeek AI announced its achievement of surpassing ChatGPT in Apple App Store downloads through its Chinese development roots. The swift popularity surge of DeepSeek caused market investors to panic, which resulted in the decline of tech stock prices.
OpenAI has accused DeepSeek of using a technique called “knowledge distillation” to extract insights from its models at a lower cost. Meanwhile, U.S. officials are evaluating national security risks linked to DeepSeek’s expansion.
The U.S. Navy has already banned its personnel from using the app due to security concerns. To counter potential threats, OpenAI recently launched ChatGPT Gov, a secure AI platform for U.S. government agencies.
Italy’s move against DeepSeek highlights growing regulatory scrutiny on AI models, especially those from foreign companies. As global competition in AI intensifies, concerns over data security, ethics, and competitive practices will likely shape the future of the industry.
Also Read: China’s DeepSeek collects your data when you use it: Learn here
