Italy sends first data watchdog request to DeepSeek: ‘The data of millions of Italians is at risk’

Italy's data protection authority investigates DeepSeek's data practices.

: Italy's data protection watchdog is scrutinizing Chinese AI firm DeepSeek, raising concerns over data privacy and GDPR compliance. Euroconsumers lodged a complaint, questioning DeepSeek's data management and its transparency with users. The Italian DPA demands detailed explanations about data collection and protection, including minors' data handling. DeepSeek's operations prompt broader European discussions on data security and privacy standards.

Italy's Data Protection Authority is investigating DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company, after a complaint by Euroconsumers regarding its data practices in relation to GDPR. The authority demands detailed information about the data DeepSeek collects, its storage in China, and its transfer protocols, emphasizing the risk to millions of Italians' data.

Euroconsumers points out the lack of policies protecting minors on DeepSeek, despite its age policy limiting use to those over 18. The body questions DeepSeek's methods, including potential web scraping, and demands transparency in how user data, especially from unregistered users, is processed.

At a European Commission conference, Thomas Regnier emphasized that DeepSeek must comply with EU regulations but noted it was too early for an investigation. The issue raises broader questions about the costs of operating AI on cheaper infrastructure and the ethical implications if DeepSeek used data from other AI companies without proper authorization.

Data privacyDeepSeekAI Compliance