Berlin: German authorities are taking steps to remove the Chinese artificial intelligence app DeepSeek from the Apple and Google Play stores, citing concerns over user data protection.

According to a statement on Friday from Meike Kamp, Berlin's commissioner for data protection and freedom of information, the app has been flagged as illegal content to both U.S. tech companies. They are now expected to assess the complaint and decide whether to restrict access to the app in Germany.

Kamp noted that DeepSeek failed to offer sufficient proof that the data of German users stored in China is safeguarded to the standards required by the European Union.

“DeepSeek has not been able to provide my agency with convincing evidence that German users’ data is protected in China to a level equivalent to that in the European Union,” she said.

“Chinese authorities have far-reaching access rights to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies,” she added.

She added that while Apple and Google must evaluate the request promptly, her office has not set a precise timeframe.

As outlined in its privacy policy, DeepSeek stores various types of personal data—including user queries and uploaded content—on servers located in China.

Concerns surrounding the company’s data handling practices have already surfaced in both the United States and Europe.

This regulatory action follows a Reuters report earlier this week that revealed DeepSeek’s alleged involvement in supporting China’s military and intelligence sectors.

In January, DeepSeek drew global attention by claiming its AI model could rival U.S.-developed technologies like ChatGPT—created by OpenAI—while operating at a far lower cost.