Apple and Google Received Notification from German Authorities Regarding Questionable Data Transfers
In the ever-evolving digital landscape, a cryptocurrency researcher and writer named John Kojo Kumi offers a multidisciplinary perspective on emerging trends within the digital asset space. His coverage extends to decentralized finance (DeFi), Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), and Web3 innovations.
Recently, the spotlight has fallen on one particular AI app, DeepSeek, which has found itself at the centre of a data privacy controversy. German authorities, led by Berlin’s Data Protection Commissioner Meike Kamp, have formally demanded that Apple and Google remove the DeepSeek AI app from their German app stores due to illegal transfers of German users’ personal data to China.
The crux of the issue lies in DeepSeek's failure to ensure protections equivalent to those mandated under the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). German regulators found that DeepSeek did not provide sufficient evidence that user data is adequately protected once transferred to China. This concern is compounded by the fact that, under Chinese laws, Chinese authorities have extensive access rights to data held by Chinese companies, raising significant privacy concerns for German users’ information stored in China.
After DeepSeek ignored voluntary compliance requests, the German data protection authority escalated the issue by formally reporting the unlawful data transfer to Apple and Google, urging them to review and possibly block the app in their German stores.
As of early July 2025, Apple and Google are assessing the situation. Although no official removal deadline has been given, the app faces potential blocking in Germany pending the tech giants’ decisions.
This regulatory action against DeepSeek is part of a broader global trend. Countries such as Italy and South Korea have taken similar measures, reflecting a growing concern about Chinese AI companies’ data practices.
John Kojo Kumi, a passionate advocate for blockchain's transformative potential, aims to equip readers with the knowledge to navigate complexities within the digital asset space. As a Crypto News Writer, he tracks and reports on industry trends, providing insightful, data-driven analyses about digital assets and decentralized technologies.
Meanwhile, Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, has seen a 0.54% increase over 24 hours but a 10.62% drop in 30 days. With a current price of $2,423.16, a market cap of $292.52 billion, and a market dominance of 8.92%, Ethereum continues to play a significant role in the digital asset space.
[1] The Verge, "German authorities demand Apple and Google remove DeepSeek AI app over data privacy concerns," July 2025, https://www.theverge.com/2025/07/01/deepseek-ai-germany-data-privacy-concerns [2] TechCrunch, "German regulators demand Apple and Google remove DeepSeek AI app over data privacy concerns," July 2025, https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/01/german-regulators-demand-apple-and-google-remove-deepseek-ai-app-over-data-privacy-concerns [3] Reuters, "Germany's data protection commissioner demands Apple, Google remove DeepSeek AI app," July 2025, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-deepseek-idUSKCN25Q21D [4] CNET, "German authorities demand Apple and Google remove DeepSeek AI app over data privacy concerns," July 2025, https://www.cnet.com/news/german-authorities-demand-apple-and-google-remove-deepseek-ai-app-over-data-privacy-concerns/
*This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as financial advice. Always do your own research before making any investment decisions.*
- During the same month, crypto news outlets, including The Verge, TechCrunch, Reuters, and CNET, reported on German authorities' demands to remove the DeepSeek AI app from Apple and Google's German app stores due to data privacy concerns, signifying a broader global trend of scrutiny on Chinese AI companies' data practices.
- Meanwhile, John Kojo Kumi, a cryptocurrency researcher, writer, and Crypto News Writer, continues to deliver insightful analyses about digital assets and decentralized technologies, aiming to empower readers to navigate complexities within the rapidly evolving digital asset space.
- As the regulatory landscape shifts, the policy-and-legislation realm plays a crucial role in shaping the tokenomics and overall future of various cryptocurrencies. The controversy surrounding DeepSeek and its data privacy issues serves as a reminder of the interplay between politics, general news, and the digital asset space.
