MILAN — Italy’s data protection authority, Garante, has moved to block access to DeepSeek, a Chinese AI application, citing concerns over users’ personal data security. The authority announced on Thursday that it was taking this action to protect user privacy, following a lack of satisfactory responses from the company behind the app.
DeepSeek, a rapidly growing chatbot, had gained popularity globally, raising eyebrows within the tech community and beyond due to its ability to compete with American AI applications at a significantly lower cost. However, the Italian data protection authority had been investigating the app for weeks after receiving reports about its data collection practices.
Despite the app’s quick rise in global downloads, Garante expressed dissatisfaction with DeepSeek’s response to inquiries about what personal information was collected, where the data was stored, and whether users were properly notified of these practices. The authority specifically pointed out that the companies behind DeepSeek denied operating in Italy and stated that European data protection laws did not apply to them, which further raised suspicions.
The decision to block DeepSeek highlights growing concerns in Europe over the data security risks posed by non-European AI companies, particularly those based in China. The European Union has increasingly scrutinized AI applications that might compromise user privacy, especially as the technology continues to advance and expand into multiple sectors.
The Italian authority’s action comes at a time when Europe is tightening regulations surrounding artificial intelligence and personal data protection. The European Commission has already proposed new rules to ensure the safety of AI technologies, which could significantly impact companies like DeepSeek that operate across borders.
Italy’s investigation into DeepSeek is part of a broader European effort to maintain control over data security as AI becomes more integrated into daily life. While this action is significant, it also reflects an ongoing global conversation on the ethics and regulation of artificial intelligence.
This marks another chapter in the global race for AI dominance, as both American and Chinese tech companies compete to push the boundaries of what AI can achieve. For more on AI regulation in Europe, you can explore the European Commission’s approach to AI.
