Latest news with #MeikeKamp
Miami Herald
4 hours ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Gemini, ChatGPT rival dealt big blow in key market
Imagine if today's Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools existed back when we were in school. Some of us would've saved so much money trying to bribe the smart kid in the classroom from letting us copy their homework. Nonetheless, many of us graduated without relying on an AI chatbot for answers, and we have critical thinking to thank for that. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter AI has become almost like humans' second and more developed brain by making daily tasks easier through advanced problem-solving, research, and decision-making capabilities. Related: ChatGPT suffers crucial outage, slowly comes back online This invention has allowed people to complete tasks faster and more efficiently than ever. Although it has been a blessing, this tool has a dangerous side that many conveniently ignore. In January, a new AI chatbot emerged, ready to take over major rivals to become humans' new right-hand man. DeepSeek is a Chinese AI startup created more cost-effectively than rivals ChatGPT and Gemini, yet offering better performance and accessibility. However, a recent revelation has created huge privacy concerns. Related: Google brings Iron Man/Tony Stark tech to regular people U.S. officials revealed that DeepSeek is helping Chinese military and intelligence operations, allegedly by providing U.S. users' information and statistics to the country's government, as first reported by Reuters in June. The officials also claim that DeepSeek may have heavily used U.S. technology and employed workarounds to access its AI chips. Since 2022, the U.S. has imposed export restrictions on the chips over concerns that China might use them to advance its military capabilities or gain an edge in the AI race. Now, another country has expressed similar concerns, seeking drastic actions to move DeepSeek out of its citizens' reach. Germany has reported DeepSeek as illegal content to Apple (AAPL) and Google (GOOGL) , aiming to eliminate it from the companies' app stores due to concerns about data privacy, said Data Protection Commissioner Meike Kamp. And Germany may have grounds for its request, since DeepSeek has yet to prove that user data is protected in China at a level equivalent to European Union (EU) standards. More Tech News: Major grocery chain using self-driving robots for deliveriesForget drones, Amazon has new robots that could replace humansEV company makes harsh decision amid new launch The EU's General Data Protection Regulation law prevents companies from sharing data outside the EU, unless the respective foreign country's standards meet the EU's requirements. If the proceedings go as planned, Apple and Google will review the claims and decide whether to ban the DeepSeek app from their app stores. Google is Germany's most commonly used search engine, while ChatGPT is the most widely used large language model. However, DeepSeek is much newer and has quickly gained popularity among AI users. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
International Business Times
5 hours ago
- Business
- International Business Times
German Watchdog Challenges DeepSeek App Presence in App Stores, Urges Apple, Google to Take Action
The Chinese artificial intelligence model DeepSeek, which shook the entire AI sector by its launch, has found itself in trouble in one of the European countries. A German privacy regulator has issued a formal notice of compelled action to tech giants Apple and Google over the availability of the Chinese artificial intelligence app on their app stores. The move reflects increasing anxiety in Europe about what Chinese tech services do with the personal data of people who use them, particularly when users have no idea how their information can be cross-referenced or pointed abroad. "The AI app breaks data protection laws and will not be available in Berlin," Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection Meike Kamp said on Friday. Her office stated that DeepSeek did not reply to its earlier requests to take its app off the German market or ensure that the data of European users is safe. The main point of concern remains the potential for personal information collected from German users to be accessed by Chinese authorities, where these users do not have the same privacy rights as those guaranteed under EU law. "Chinese authorities have very extensive access to personal data," Kamp explained. "EU citizens using DeepSeek also lack enforceable rights or protection in China." In January, DeepSeek, a startup in Hangzhou, grabbed global attention with its R1 large language model. The company said its A.I. platform was equivalent to the best technology from OpenAI and Google except that it ran on less powerful chips (Nvidia H800s) and cost less to develop, under $6 million. Its promise of low cost and high efficiency has been hailed as game-changing in the AI world. But now the app's ascent is getting regulatory pushback in Europe. The German regulator is invoking the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) because DeepSeek has disregarded numerous requests for compliance. The law forces technology platforms, such as Apple's App Store and Google Play, to ensure illegal material, including apps posing data risks, is removed or restricted. Apple and Google are now facing calls to reconsider the notification and intervene. Though Kamp said she could have issued a fine to DeepSeek, enforcement was an international challenge. And so the buck passes to the platforms that host the app. It's not the first time that European regulators have taken aim at Chinese AI apps. Italy's privacy authority expressed similar concerns this year over the way Chinese services may treat sensitive information of European users. Technology and international data governance are intersecting as geopolitical tensions rise and AI tools take over; they are also turning into flashpoints. Also, European nations are strengthening privacy rules that would protect their citizens from foreign surveillance or from having their data mishandled.
Observer
6 hours ago
- Business
- Observer
DeepSeek faces ban from Apple, Google app stores in Germany
FRANKFURT: Germany's data protection commissioner has asked Apple and Google to remove Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from their app stores in the country due to concerns about data protection, following a similar crackdown elsewhere. Commissioner Meike Kamp said in a statement on Friday that she had made the request because DeepSeek illegally transfers users' personal data to China. The two US tech giants must now review the request promptly and decide whether to block the app in Germany, she added, though her office has not set a precise timeframe. DeepSeek did not respond to a request for comment. Apple and Google were not immediately available for comment. According to its own privacy policy, DeepSeek stores numerous pieces of personal data, such as requests to its AI programme or uploaded files, on computers in China. "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," Kamp said. "Chinese authorities have far-reaching access rights to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies," she added. The commissioner said she took the decision after asking DeepSeek in May to meet the requirements for non-EU data transfers or else voluntarily withdraw its app. DeepSeek did not comply with this request, she added. DeepSeek shook the technology world in January with claims that it had developed an AI model to rival those from US firms such as ChatGPT creator OpenAI at much lower cost. However, it has come under scrutiny in the United States and Europe for its data security policies. Italy blocked it from app stores there earlier this year, citing a lack of information on its use of personal data, while the Netherlands has banned it on government devices. Belgium has recommended government officials not to use DeepSeek. "Further analyses are underway to evaluate the approach to be followed," a government spokesperson said. In Spain, the consumer rights group OCU asked the government's data protection agency in February to investigate threats likely posed by DeepSeek, though no ban has come into force. US lawmakers plan to introduce a bill that would ban US executive agencies from using any AI models developed in China. Reuters exclusively reported this week that DeepSeek is aiding China's military and intelligence operations. — Reuters
Straits Times
7 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
China AI startup DeepSeek faces ban from Apple, Google app stores in Germany
Apple and Google have been asked to remove Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from their app stores in Germany, due to concerns about data protection. PHOTO: REUTERS FRANKFURT - Germany's data protection commissioner has asked Apple and Google to remove Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from their app stores in the country due to concerns about data protection, following a similar crackdown elsewhere. Commissioner Meike Kamp said in a statement on June 27 that she had made the request because DeepSeek illegally transfers users' personal data to China. The two US tech giants must now review the request promptly and decide whether to block the app in Germany, she added, though her office has not set a precise timeframe. Google said it had received the notice and was reviewing it. DeepSeek did not respond to a request for comment. Apple was not immediately available for comment. According to its own privacy policy, DeepSeek stores numerous pieces of personal data, such as requests to its AI programme or uploaded files, on computers in China. '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,' Ms Kamp said. 'Chinese authorities have far-reaching access rights to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies,' she added. The commissioner said she took the decision after asking DeepSeek in May to meet the requirements for non-EU data transfers or else voluntarily withdraw its app. DeepSeek did not comply with this request, she added. DeepSeek shook the technology world in January with claims that it had developed an AI model to rival those from US firms such as ChatGPT creator OpenAI at much lower cost. However, it has come under scrutiny in the United States and Europe for its data security policies. Italy blocked it from app stores there earlier this year, citing a lack of information on its use of personal data, while the Netherlands has banned it on government devices. Belgium has recommended government officials not to use DeepSeek. 'Further analyses are underway to evaluate the approach to be followed,' a government spokesperson said. In Spain, the consumer rights group OCU asked the government's data protection agency in February to investigate threats likely posed by DeepSeek, though no ban has come into force. The British government said 'the use of DeepSeek remains a personal choice for members of the public.' 'We continue to monitor any national security threats to UK citizens and their data from all sources,' a spokesperson for Britain's technology ministry said. 'If evidence of threats arises, we will not hesitate to take the appropriate steps to protect our national security.' US lawmakers plan to introduce a Bill that would ban US executive agencies from using any AI models developed in China. Reuters exclusively reported this week that DeepSeek is aiding China's military and intelligence operations. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
DeepSeek under scrutiny in Germany, AI tokens falter
DeepSeek under scrutiny in Germany, AI tokens falter originally appeared on TheStreet. The AI crypto industry was shaken on June 28, with the market cap decreasing by 1.97% in the last 24 hours to $26.92 billion. Overall traded volume was up more than 30% and indicated increased volatility. Bitcoin maintained a level of stability, trading at $107,036.51 and down only 0.31% on the day. The decline deepened following the news that Germany's top privacy regulator had officially declared the Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek "illegal". The regulator invoked the EU's Digital Services Act and warned Apple and Google to remove DeepSeek from their app stores or face consequences, according to Bloomberg. After the Chinese app refused to cooperate, the Berlin agency used the EU's Digital Services Act, which requires internet platforms like Apple and Google to remove illegal content. DeepSeek was also developed in Hangzhou in January of 2025. It shocked the tech industry with the R1 model, a lean but powerful large language model. However, Meike Kamp, Berlin's privacy watchdog, explained that "Chinese authorities have extensive rights to access personal data" and indicated that the app did not comply with the standards set out in EU data protection regulatory action sparked immediate anxiety in the AI and crypto space. Short-term charts show erratic swings from various AI-linked tokens. Virtua Protocol (VIRTUAL) was down over 15% over the past week and only showed a minor daily rebound to close the week, while other tokens like ai16z and PAAL AI were down over 9% over the week. Larger-cap players like Render (RENDER) and NEAR Protocol also had downward action. Former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) offered a pointed criticism, saying, "Too many AI agent developers focus too much on their token and not enough on the agent's usefulness,' on April also suggested, at the Token2049 summit, that crypto would eventually be the financial backbone of AI agents — "crypto is going to be the currency for AI" — but added it needed product-market fit, not hype-driven token launches. With Grok 4 also anticipated from Elon Musk's xAI post-July 4, the AI token market may continue to be erratic as narratives collide with regulations. DeepSeek under scrutiny in Germany, AI tokens falter first appeared on TheStreet on Jun 27, 2025 This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared. Sign in to access your portfolio
