Italy’s privacy regulator, Garante, announced on January 30, 2025 it had blocked the Chinese artificial intelligence chatbot DeepSeek due to concerns regarding personal data protection. The move follows an investigation into the app’s data practices, particularly regarding how it collects and uses personal information from its users.
According to Garante, the decision to block the app was necessary to safeguard the privacy of Italian users. The regulator had previously requested clarification from DeepSeek about how it handles user data. Specifically, Italy wanted to know what types of data are collected, the purpose behind its collection, and whether any of this information is stored in China.
In response, DeepSeek denied operating in Italy and argued that European laws do not apply to its operations. The company’s refusal to provide sufficient details regarding its data usage prompted Garante to take immediate action. As a result, the app was swiftly removed from digital stores, making it inaccessible for Italian users.
Despite the block, the web version of DeepSeek is still available for access in Italy.
This move comes in the wake of concerns raised by Microsoft, which detected suspicious activity involving the OpenAI API and DeepSeek. The two companies are reportedly investigating potential unauthorized use of data to develop a rival AI model known as R1.
| Event | Date | Action Taken |
|---|---|---|
| Garante’s Announcement | January 30, 2025 | DeepSeek blocked in Italy |
| Italy’s Data Inquiry | January 2025 | Request for data usage details sent to DeepSeek |
| DeepSeek’s Response | January 2025 | Claimed it doesn’t operate in Italy, refused further details |
| App Removal | January 30, 2025 | DeepSeek removed from digital stores for Italian users |
| Web Access | January 30, 2025 | Web version still available in Italy |
