Italy Blocks Chinese AI Chatbot DeepSeek Over Privacy Concerns
Italy's data protection authority, the Garante, has ordered the famous Chinese AI startup DeepSeek to block its chatbot in the country after failing to address critical privacy concerns. The regulator questioned DeepSeek about its data collection practices, including what personal data is gathered, its sources, purposes, legal basis, and whether the data is stored in China.
DeepSeek's response was deemed "totally insufficient," prompting the Garante to take immediate action to protect Italian users' data. Despite the block, some users report the chatbot remains accessible on previously downloaded apps and via the web.
This move highlights Europe's growing scrutiny of AI technologies, with regulators in Ireland and France also investigating DeepSeek's privacy practices. The Garante emphasized that user consent and data protection must meet European standards, stating, "Servers in China do not offer the guarantees Europe does."
As AI continues to advance, this case underscores the importance of transparency and compliance with global privacy regulations.
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