DeepSeek,Denmark a Chinese AI chatbot, swiftly rose to the top of app stores this week, and it's just as swiftly rising in priority for data protection watchdog agencies worldwide.
DeepSeek's privacy policy has many aspects that might concern users, but governments are particularly interested in the fact that the company's data is stored in China and, therefore, subject to Chinese data laws.
A data protection watchdog in Italy, Euroconsumers, comprising a coalition of consumer groups throughout Europe, filed a complaint to the Italian Data Protection Authority earlier this week that asks DeepSeek for more details about how the company will process its citizens' data, saying, in Italian, according to TechCrunch, "The data of millions of Italians is at risk." The Irish Data Protection Commission quickly followed suit.
On Wednesday, Reuters reported that DeepSeek could not be accessed in Apple and Google app stores in Italy.
SEE ALSO: What DeepSeek knows about you — and why it matters"The Data Protection Commission (DPC) has written to DeepSeek requesting information on the data processing conducted in relation to data subjects in Ireland," a spokesperson for the Irish Data Protection Commission told TechCrunch.
DeepSeek collects information you provide, like your birthday and email address and anything you send in the chat; information like your IP address, keystroke patterns or rhythms, and payment information; and information from other sources, like if you sign in using Google or Apple. This information is stored "in secure servers in the People's Republic of China." This, of course, is all coming when TikTok is battling a ban in the U.S. due to ties with "foreign adversaries."
Topics DeepSeek
Free Rita's Italian Ice: How to get free Italian Ice on March 20
Mistaken Identity by Jenny Hendrix
Staff Picks: ‘At Last,’ Ambivalence by The Paris Review
ICE drops policy banning international students from online study
Trump's DEI keyword crusade hits the country's defense archives
Slanderous Correspondence; Imitations by Lorin Stein
Remembering John Lewis in his many tweets and viral moments
Lamb Chop in Search of a Martini by Matt Weinstock
PSG vs. Liverpool 2025 livestream: Watch Champions League for free
'Quordle' today: See each 'Quordle' answer and hints for May 9
The Biggest Tech Fails of the Last Decade
Only One Day to Go! by The Paris Review
Jennifer Grotz’s “Poppies” by Ta
The surprising reason Lily Allen's 'Smile' went viral on TikTok
Elon Musk says SpaceX will launch the Falcon Heavy 'in a week or so'
A Week in Culture: Matthew Thurber, Cartoonist by Matthew Thurber
'Headspace Minis' let you meditate with friends directly in Snapchat
Mistaken Identity by Jenny Hendrix
Best robot vacuum deal: Save $400 on the roborock Q5 Pro+
A fish with thick lips and teeth has the internet disturbed
Look, It’s Earth Day by The Paris Review23andMe confirms how many users affected by data breach. Wow.In Search of William Gass by Zachary FineWhiting Awards 2019: Lauren Yee, DramaPoetry Rx: Ordinary Sex by Sarah KayX's @Music posts Ed Sheeran photo to celebrate new handle. Users aren't impressed.At Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s Hundredth Birthday Party by Nina SparlingLetters From W. S. Merwin by Grace Schulman8 worst dating app icks, rankedOn Believing by Hanif AbdurraqibBeyond the Narrative Arc by Jane AlisonRedux: Revelry by The Paris ReviewMrBeast sued his restaurant partner for $10 million. They're suing him back for $100 million.Fully Half Korean by Michael Croley'GTA 6' trailer dropped a day early. Here's the release date window.Best Solawave deal: Get a skincare wand bundle for $52 offAthena, Goddess of Copyediting by Mary NorrisStaff Picks: Bangs, Barbie, and Bodies by The Paris ReviewLook, It’s Earth Day by The Paris ReviewPoetry Rx: Your Absence Has Gone through Me by Claire Schwartz Neighborhood has inspiring reaction to complaint over gay pride flag Australian startups need more diversity to thrive, not closed borders Moonwalker Buzz Aldrin evacuated from the South Pole You can now get HBO and Cinemax through Amazon 30 gifts for the person in your life who is still mad at Nate Silver Fox Sports Brazil honors plane crash victims with powerful 90 minutes of silence Here are all 132 new cards in 'Hearthstone: Mean Streets of Gadgetzan' The 8 Netflix features we desperately need in our lives Starbucks releases hot baked apple lattes and Frappuccinos for Christmas Facebook's being a bully again, this time over Prisma's live video filters This cartoon is the most touching tribute to the soccer players killed in plane crash iHeartRadio's new streaming options let you choose a song, then return to the radio Activist's Twitter campaign prompts advertisers to flee Breitbart Assassin's Creed VR Experience' for Oculus Rift delivers immersive version of the film This artwork combining Superman and Facebook is so on point How to watch The Game Awards on your screen of choice This mom created her own version of the Evil Kermit meme Martin Shkreli's not mad teens made his drug for about $2 a dose, you are Baby hits the milly rock in the womb Serena Williams pens letter on sexism and perseverance