- Italy becomes the first European country to ban DeepSeek, a Chinese AI chatbot.
- The measure is based on possible violations of the GDPR and risks to user privacy.
- The company has 20 days to respond to the Italian authorities regarding the handling of personal data.
- The ban reflects growing EU scrutiny of foreign AI technologies.
Italy has decided to temporarily ban DeepSeek, an artificial intelligence chatbot developed in China that had become one of the most popular apps globally. This decision marks a significant new chapter in the debate on data privacy and the growing dominance of artificial intelligence technologies. According to Italian authorities, There are serious doubts about the management of personal data collected by this application, which has prompted closer scrutiny.
The body responsible for data protection in Italy, the GDPR (Guarantee for the Protection of Personal Data), has indicated that the suspension stems from possible violations of European privacy regulations, particularly the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The main concerns are related to the lack of clarity on how and why user data is collected, as well as its storage on servers located in China.
A detailed analysis of the decision
DeepSeek had stood out for its efficiency and its ability to compete with established giants like ChatGPT and Gemini, achieving millions of downloads in a short period of time. However, His meteoric rise has not been without controversy. According to the GPDP research, DeepSeek collects personal data including IP addresses, chat histories, usage patterns and even keystrokes., among others.
The Italian body has demanded from the companies behind the development of DeepSeek, Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence and Beijing DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence, which provide detailed information on the processing of personal dataIn addition, they have been asked to confirm whether the data collected is being used for training the artificial intelligence model and whether it has been transferred or shared with third parties.
An answer expected in 20 days
Responsible companies They have a period of 20 days to respond to the requests of the GPDP. Failure to cooperate or fail to comply with regulations could result in substantial fines or a permanent ban on DeepSeek in Italy. This measure remembers the temporary suspension that ChatGPT suffered in 2023 for similar reasons, which demonstrates Italy's firm stance against emerging technologies that do not meet European standards.
In recent statements, representatives of the GPDP stressed that transparency and compliance with local and European regulations are essential elements to allow the operation of advanced technologies such as this. Italy seeks ensure that the rights of its citizens are respected at all times.
The European context on data privacy
The DeepSeek ban underscores the growing scrutiny that European governments and regulators are placing on foreign technologies, particularly those originating from countries like China. The GDPR sets out rigid requirements on data storage, transfer and use, and EU member countries have pledged to enforce them vigorously. Italy would not be the only country to take similar measures if irregularities in DeepSeek's data handling are confirmed.
Moreover, regulation in Europe is also accompanied by concerns about technological sovereignty. Since DeepSeek is spun off by Chinese companies, fears about possible government oversight of its operations have added a further layer of complexity to the debate. Recall the previous controversies with TikTok, where it was argued that Western users’ data could be used by China for surveillance purposes.
The example of other countries and their position
It's not just Italy that has criticised DeepSeek's lack of transparency. Australia and the United States have expressed similar concerns about how AI handles its users' information. In particular, There are fears that mass data collection could become a tool to influence international policies. or in strategic economic decisions.
Furthermore, DeepSeek's direct competition with large technology companies such as OpenAI has not gone unnoticed. These companies are already taking legal steps to protect its intellectual property, alleging that DeepSeek may have used model distillation techniques to improve its AI by taking advantage of third-party developments.
Despite legal, economic and political challenges, DeepSeek remains an influential technology which has demonstrated the ability to compete in the global market at much lower costs than its main competitors. However, its future in key markets such as Europe will depend to a large degree of its ability to adapt to privacy regulations and demonstrate transparency in their operations.
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