German Authorities Alert Tech Giants on DeepSeek Data Breach

German regulators informed Apple and Google about DeepSeek’s unlawful data transfers to China on June 28, 2025, citing privacy violations.

German watchdogs’ notification sets a precedent for tech companies’ compliance with EU data laws.

German authorities have highlighted unlawful data transfers by Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence to China. Regulators alerted Google and Apple, expecting action under GDPR. The Berlin Commissioner seeks to enforce privacy standards uniformly.

“DeepSeek’s transfer of user data to China is unlawful. DeepSeek has not been able to convincingly demonstrate to my authority that German users’ data in China is protected to a level equivalent to that of the European Union. I have therefore informed Google and Apple, as operators of the largest app platforms, of the violations and expect a timely consideration of a blocking.” — Meike Kamp, Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, Source

The notification by German regulators has not resulted in any immediate crypto market fluctuations. Major cryptocurrencies remain unaffected since DeepSeek does not operate within blockchain infrastructure.

German authorities emphasize the enforcement of GDPR, prioritizing data privacy. Google and Apple have yet to issue responses, keeping the spotlight on corporate accountability.

Previous incidents in Italy and South Korea underline ongoing privacy challenges for AI firms. These countries have also scrutinized DeepSeek’s practices.

Regulatory actions could catalyze stricter compliance standards globally. Historical GDPR enforcement shows increased barriers for international data transfers without robust legal frameworks.