By Italy has blocked Chinese AI startup DeepSeek’s chatbot over data privacy concerns, marking another instance of European regulators taking a firm stance on artificial intelligence.
The country’s data protection authority, the Garante, ordered the suspension after the company failed to address key questions about how it collects, stores, and processes personal data.
The decision underscores growing scrutiny of AI-powered services and highlights Europe’s strict stance on digital privacy.
The watchdog had asked DeepSeek to clarify what personal data it gathers, where it sources the information, its intended use, and whether the data is stored in China. However, the company’s response was deemed “totally insufficient,” leading to the immediate block.
DeepSeek, a rising competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, has gained traction globally, recently becoming the top-rated free app on Apple’s App Store in the United States.
The company claims its AI models rival or outperform leading US counterparts at a lower cost, positioning it as a potential disruptor in the AI industry.
Italian regulators are not alone in their concerns
Authorities in France and Ireland are also questioning DeepSeek over its privacy policies.
In response to Italy’s inquiries, the company removed its AI assistant from Italian app stores but argued that it is not subject to local regulation or Garante’s jurisdiction.
This stance further fueled regulatory concerns, prompting the immediate suspension of the chatbot in Italy.
Despite the ban, some Italian users who had previously downloaded the app reported that it was still functioning on their devices, and its web version remained accessible.
Garante board member Agostino Ghiglia emphasized that European data regulations require companies to provide clear and transparent policies regarding user consent and data handling.
He noted that data stored on Chinese servers does not offer the same guarantees as those in Europe, Reuters reported.
Italy’s data watchdog has been among the most proactive in Europe regarding AI regulation. In 2023, it briefly banned Microsoft-backed ChatGPT over similar privacy concerns.
As AI technologies continue to evolve, regulatory scrutiny is expected to intensify, with European authorities pushing for greater transparency and compliance from tech companies operating in the region.
The post Italy blocks China’s DeepSeek AI chatbot—here’s why appeared first on Invezz
