**DeepSeek, a Chinese AI Chatbot, Raises Global Data Privacy Alarm**
This week, DeepSeek, a Chinese AI chatbot, has surged to the upper echelons of app store rankings, but its rapid ascent is now prompting concerns from data protection authorities around the globe. Issues regarding the app’s privacy protocols and adherence to international data protection regulations have placed it under considerable examination.
The chatbot’s **privacy policy** has caught the attention of many, especially given that user data is retained in China, which subjects it to Chinese data regulations. This situation has caused unease among governments and regulatory bodies, raising questions about the company’s management of sensitive user data.
In Italy, consumer advocacy organization Euroconsumers lodged an official complaint with the Italian Data Protection Authority earlier this week. The group sought clarity on how DeepSeek manages the personal data of Italian citizens, cautioning that “the data of millions of Italians is at risk,” according to *TechCrunch*. Following this, Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) initiated its own investigation into the app’s data management practices.
This scrutiny has already led to significant repercussions. On Wednesday, *Reuters* reported that DeepSeek had been removed from Apple and Google app stores in Italy.
A representative from the Irish Data Protection Commission confirmed to *TechCrunch* that the agency had contacted DeepSeek, stating, “The Data Protection Commission (DPC) has written to DeepSeek requesting information on the data processing conducted in relation to data subjects in Ireland.”
DeepSeek collects an extensive array of user data, including personal information such as birthdays and email addresses, chat logs, IP addresses, keystroke dynamics, payment details, and data from third-party services like Google and Apple. All of this data is saved on “secure servers in the People’s Republic of China.” This has raised concerns regarding potential misuse or unauthorized access to user data, particularly in light of the ongoing debates surrounding **TikTok**, which is similarly facing criticism in the U.S. over its associations with foreign entities.
As DeepSeek encounters increasing scrutiny from regulators, its prospects in international markets remain unclear. For the time being, the app’s swift rise has been met with equally rapid pushback from governments intent on safeguarding their citizens’ data.
**SEE ALSO:** [What DeepSeek knows about you — and why it matters](https://mashable.com/article/deepseeks-privacy-policy-your-personal-data)