Italy’s data protection authority, the Garante, ordered DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, to block its chatbot in Italy. This move came after the company failed to address the regulator’s concerns over its privacy policy. The Garante said the action was necessary to protect Italian users’ personal data.
Privacy Policy Concerns Raised
The Garante had questioned DeepSeek earlier this week about its use of personal data. The regulator sought clarity on what data the chatbot collects, from where it is sourced, its purpose, legal basis, and whether it is stored in China. DeepSeek provided information that the Garante considered insufficient, which led to the decision to block the service.
In response to the Garante’s queries, DeepSeek stated it had removed its AI assistant from Italian app stores. However, the company argued it should not be subject to Italian regulations or jurisdiction. DeepSeek further stated it had no obligation to provide the regulator with any information. Agostino Ghiglia, a member of the Garante, said DeepSeek’s response worsened its position. He added that without cooperation from the company, the chatbot would remain blocked in Italy.
Despite the Garante’s order, some Italian users who had previously downloaded the app reported that the chatbot continued to provide answers. The web version of the service remained operational as of Friday. The Garante emphasized that citizens have the right to know how their data is handled. Ghiglia noted that servers based in China do not offer the same data protection guarantees as those in Europe.
Investigation and Future Action
The Garante’s order came into immediate effect, and it also opened a formal investigation into DeepSeek’s privacy practices. The investigation will focus on whether the company complies with European data protection laws. The Garante warned that if DeepSeek fails to cooperate, the chatbot will remain blocked in Italy.
Italy is not the only European country scrutinizing DeepSeek. Data regulators in Ireland and France are also questioning the chatbot’s privacy policy. This growing scrutiny comes as DeepSeek’s AI assistant gains popularity, overtaking ChatGPT to become the top-rated free app on the U.S. Apple App Store.
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