Italy’s watchdog blocks Chinese AI app DeepSeek over privacy concerns
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Photo: Reuters
Italy’s data protection authority, the Garante, has ordered a ban on the Chinese artificial intelligence chatbot DeepSeek, citing concerns over data privacy.
The move comes after DeepSeek failed to adequately respond to the regulator’s inquiries regarding its data collection and storage practices.
The Garante’s decision, announced on Thursday, takes immediate effect and is accompanied by an official investigation. The watchdog had previously questioned DeepSeek about its handling of personal data, including details on data sources, collection methods, legal justifications, and whether user information is stored in China. However, the responses provided by the Chinese company were deemed “totally insufficient.”
In response to the regulator’s scrutiny, DeepSeek removed its AI assistant from Italian app stores. However, some users who had already downloaded the chatbot reported that it was still functioning on their devices, and the web version remained accessible.
According to Agostino Ghiglia, a board member of the Italian data authority, DeepSeek asserted that it was not subject to Italian regulations and was not obligated to provide additional information. This lack of cooperation led the Garante to escalate its actions.
“Not only did DeepSeek’s response fail to reassure us, but it also worsened its position, which is why we decided to order the block,” Ghiglia stated. He warned that without compliance, DeepSeek would remain banned in Italy.
One of the regulator’s primary concerns is the security of user data, particularly when stored on servers in China, which do not offer the same data protection guarantees as those in the European Union. The Garante emphasised that users have the right to transparency and consent regarding how their personal information is handled.
DeepSeek has rapidly gained traction in the AI sector, with claims that its newly launched models rival or surpass leading US-based AI models at a significantly lower cost. Its chatbot has even overtaken OpenAI’s ChatGPT as the top-rated free app on Apple’s App Store in the United States.
Despite its success, DeepSeek’s regulatory challenges in Italy highlight broader concerns over data privacy and AI governance. The Garante has been a leading force in AI oversight within the European Union, having temporarily banned Microsoft-backed ChatGPT in 2023 over similar privacy concerns.