German Authorities Alert Apple, Google on DeepSeek Data Breach

Meike Kamp, Berlin’s Commissioner for Data Protection, has alerted Apple and Google about DeepSeek’s illegal data transfers of German user information to China, signaling privacy violations under EU standards.

Authorities emphasize European Union privacy standards, highlighting enforcement actions against foreign tech companies. Immediate changes requested by the Berlin Data Protection office have minimal immediate market effect, with current reactions coming largely from regulatory circles.

The incident emerges as Meike Kamp alerts Apple and Google of DeepSeek’s unlawful data transfers to China. DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company, faces scrutiny over its transfer policy, which reportedly lacks compliance with EU standards.

Apple and Google are required to review or potentially remove DeepSeek’s applications in Germany due to privacy violations. The Berlin Data Protection office has insisted on ensuring user data protection equivalent to EU levels.

No substantial impact on major cryptocurrencies, such as ETH and BTC, has been reported as of now, with the incident primarily concerning regulatory compliance rather than market security disruptions.

Earlier in 2025, Italy attempted a similar block of DeepSeek, pointing to a trend of intensified EU action against Chinese tech firms’ data practices. This alerts other global tech entities to potential increased regulatory actions, indicating a heightened need for compliance. Historical precedents suggest continued tension between the EU and non-compliant foreign tech providers concerning user data protection frameworks.