Germany to Apple, Google: Block DeepSeek from app stores because…
A German
data protection
watchdog has asked
Apple
and
Google
to block the Chinese artificial intelligence service
DeepSeek
from their app stores, a report claims. The regulator has alleged that DeepSeek's app illegally transmits user data to China. According to a report by CNBC, Meike Kamp, Berlin's data protection commissioner, has alleged that DeepSeek's transfer of German user data to China is 'unlawful.' DeepSeek gained attention earlier his year after launching an AI model that it claimed to have developed at a significantly lower cost than rival models, utilising less advanced Nvidia chips. The company also offers its global chatbot AI app, which has been downloaded millions of times, drawing scrutiny. As per the report, experts suggest that if the German case against DeepSeek advances, it could potentially result in an EU-wide ban for the app.
What German regulators said about DeepSeek
'DeepSeek has not been able to convincingly demonstrate to my authority that the data of German users is protected in China at a level equivalent to that of the European Union. Chinese authorities have extensive access rights to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies,'
German regulator Kamp said (translated by CNBC).
Under the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), companies are not allowed to transfer data outside the region unless appropriate safeguards are in place in the destination countries that align with
GDPR
standards.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
2025 Top Trending Local Enterprise Accounting Software [Click Here]
Accounting ERP
Click Here
Undo
The Berlin data protection commissioner is specifically concerned that German user data sent by DeepSeek to China could be accessed by Chinese authorities.
The Berlin data watchdog also noted that it had notified Apple and Google about the alleged violations and expects the two US tech companies to conduct a "timely review" to determine whether the app should remain on their platforms.
However, the report didn't mention whether Google and Apple will act on the request.
Google Search AI Mode launched in India: Does it really make your search smarter?
AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
24 minutes ago
- Mint
Humanoid Robots Play Soccer Poorly in Chinese Exhibition Match
(Bloomberg) -- They looked like tipsy 7-year-olds stumbling about the soccer pitch. But the game that unfolded at an industrial zone in Beijing was a breakthrough for humanoid robots and the artificial intelligence that powered them through a 5-3 match on Saturday. Clad in black and purple jerseys with individual player numbers, diminutive humanoids faced off for two 10-minute halves, their movements controlled not by gesticulating coaches on the sidelines but by built-in algorithms. The spectacle was less about lightning-speed action — two players fell on top of each other — and more about demonstrating balance, agility and AI-powered decision-making. The bots pumped their fists in the air after each goal — not difficult since the goalies were pretty bad. The games were not just a novelty but a signal of how far machine autonomy has progressed — and a showcase for Chinese institutions in particular. The matches featured multiple teams from the leading Tsinghua University as well as institutions like the Beijing Information Science and Technology University. One Tsinghua team called Vulcan won the championship following intense play, the China News Network reported. China is pouring money and talent into the field in a bid to steal a march on the rest of the world. The nation's $47 billion robotics market already accounts for 40% of the global total, and is slated to grow at a 23% annual rate to be worth $108 billion by 2028, according to a report by Morgan Stanley earlier this month. 'China is not only the largest market but also is arguably the world's innovation hub, propelling cost efficiencies and next-gen robotics development,' the Morgan Stanley analysts said. China, never one to shy away from a spectacle-meets-innovation demonstration, has lined up a series of humanoid-robot events that are both technological milestones and provocative cultural events. There was a humanoid half-marathon in Beijing in April, and a bot kickboxing tournament in Hangzhou in May. And while these exhibited some striking advances in AI and robotics, they weren't quite so impressive as spectator sports. Robotic limbs flailed in the air and some robots keeled over at the kickboxing tournament, while only six of the 21 humanoid marathon runners completed the race. Some swerved and fell, and one unfortunate bot's head rolled off near the start. Despite their wobbliness, the robot soccer players in Beijing demonstrated visual recognition and positioning abilities, aided by cameras and sensors. They could, for instance, detect the ball from as far away as 60 feet (18.3 meters) with 90% accuracy. The robots were also able to identify the goal, the pitch, field lines and opponents, and make playing decisions based on these inputs — technological improvements that indicate how far the machines have come. 'Such demonstrations with human-form robots are currently focused on inspiring people's imaginations,' said Samir Menon, founder and chief executive officer of Palo Alto-headquartered robotics startup Dexterity, Inc. 'There'll be thousands of different types of robots, and hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of types of applications.' The soccer robots used AI techniques like deep reinforcement learning — a sophisticated system based on trial and error in many simulated situations — to make real-time decisions like passing, dribbling and shooting, or predicting when and where a teammate will move. Such events emphasize Beijing's goal to deploy increasing numbers in real-world applications, and prove testing grounds to evaluate the machines for stability, efficiency and safety aspects in human proximity. Saturday's humanoid football league was a preview for the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games that China is set to host on Aug. 15–17 in Beijing. The event will include 11 humanoid sports events, including gymnastics, track and field and soccer. More stories like this are available on
Mint
2 hours ago
- Mint
‘Utterly insane and destructive': Elon Musk strongly reacts to latest Senate draft bill
Elon Musk has called the latest Senate draft bill that raises taxes on wind and solar projects 'utterly insane and destructive.' Sharing an X post, Musk wrote, "The latest Senate draft bill will destroy millions of jobs in America and cause immense strategic harm to our country! Utterly insane and destructive. It gives handouts to industries of the past while severely damaging industries of the future." Billionaire Elon Musk criticized the latest version of President Donald Trump's tax and spending bill released by the U.S. Senate, which potentially reopens the floodgate of controversy between the billionaire and the US President, which had seen a major escalation over the past few weeks. The post shared by Musk was of Jesse D. Jenkins, a Macro-energy systems engineering, optimization, and policy professor at Princeton Engineering, according to the X account. The post reads, 'The new Senate draft raises taxes on all wind and solar projects that haven't begun construction today unless they are placed in service by the end of 2027 and navigate complex, likely unworkable requirements to prove they don't use a drop of Chinese materials. After that, this bill ADDS A NEW tax on wind and solar projects that can't prove the same.' Trump and Musk have not been on great terms over the past few weeks and have taken their feud public. For the past few days, the rift appeared to have subsided, but the floodgates apparently have reopened, with Musk openly criticizing the Trump administration's bill that proposes the implementation of taxes on wind and solar projects that haven't begun construction yet.
Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Economic Times
Canada kicks out Chinese surveillance giant Hikvision over national security threat
Reuters Federal review finds Chinese tech giant's operations pose national security threat The Canadian government has ordered Chinese surveillance technology company Hikvision to shut down its Canadian operations, citing national security concerns. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly announced the decision late Friday(June 27), stating the move follows a formal national security review under the Investment Canada Act. The review involved intelligence and security assessments provided by Canada's national agencies. "The government has determined that Hikvision Canada Inc.'s continued operations in Canada would be injurious to Canada's national security," Joly wrote in a post on formally known as Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd., is one of the world's largest manufacturers of surveillance cameras and related equipment. The company has operated in Canada through a subsidiary since 2014. The decision comes amid growing international scrutiny of Hikvision. The US, UK, and Australia have previously placed sanctions or restrictions on the company over allegations that its technology was used in the surveillance of Uyghur Muslims in China's Xinjiang region, allegations Beijing has denied. Major retailers such as Best Buy and Home Depot stopped selling Hikvision products as early as 2021. While Canadian officials did not disclose the specific threat that triggered this review, the Investment Canada Act allows Ottawa to investigate and block foreign investments that pose potential risks to national a statement issued Saturday, Hikvision said it 'strongly disagrees' with the government's decision.'We believe it lacks a factual basis, procedural fairness, and transparency,' the company said. 'Instead of evaluating our technology on its cybersecurity merits, the decision appears to be driven by the parent company's country of origin, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions and an unjustified bias against Chinese companies.'Hikvision added that it fully cooperated with Canadian authorities and submitted all requested with the shutdown order, Minister Joly said the federal government will ensure that departments, agencies, and Crown corporations do not purchase or use Hikvision equipment moving forward. She also announced a review of government buildings to identify and phase out any legacy Hikvision devices.'I strongly urge Canadians to take note of this decision and make their own decisions accordingly,' Joly added. The Chinese Embassy in Ottawa has not yet commented on the decision.
