The Chinese language synthetic intelligence app, DeepSeek, has been briefly faraway from the Apple and Google app shops in Italy, following a request from the nation’s knowledge safety authority for extra info concerning its dealing with of non-public knowledge. The app’s elimination, which occurred on Wednesday, got here only a day after the Italian regulator, the Garante, raised considerations about potential breaches of the Basic Knowledge Safety Regulation (GDPR).

DeepSeek, which launched a free AI assistant final week, had rapidly gained traction, overtaking ChatGPT in obtain numbers on Apple’s App Retailer by Monday. The app claims to make use of considerably much less knowledge and supply companies at a fraction of the price of its rivals, sparking curiosity within the tech market. Nevertheless, the surge in recognition raised alarm bells amongst regulators throughout Europe.

The Garante’s investigation focuses on a number of key facets of DeepSeek’s operations. The authority is in search of clarification on what private knowledge the app collects, its sources, the authorized grounds for processing the information, and whether or not it’s saved in China. Moreover, regulators are involved with the safety of minors, the prevention of algorithmic bias, and the potential for electoral interference, particularly with upcoming nationwide elections.

Italy’s knowledge regulator gave DeepSeek and its affiliated corporations 20 days to reply to its inquiries. Whereas the app was pulled from the app shops in Italy, it seems to nonetheless be practical for customers who had beforehand downloaded it. Moreover, DeepSeek stays accessible for obtain in different European Union international locations and the UK.

Eire’s Knowledge Safety Fee (DPC) has additionally sought info from DeepSeek concerning the processing of information from Irish customers. Because the lead EU regulator for a lot of giant U.S. tech companies, Eire’s DPC performs a big position in overseeing knowledge privateness issues throughout the continent. Nevertheless, DeepSeek has not chosen Eire as its EU headquarters, which complicates issues for the DPC’s jurisdiction.

Because the investigation continues, each DeepSeek and the broader AI sector might be intently monitored for compliance with EU knowledge safety legal guidelines.

In Germany, authorities are additionally on alert for potential AI-driven interference in public opinion forward of the nationwide elections on 23 February, additional highlighting the rising considerations over the usage of AI know-how in Europe.

(With inputs from Reuters)