FRANKFURT, Germany: Germany has become the latest country to challenge Chinese AI firm DeepSeek over its data practices, as pressure mounts across Europe and the United States over how the company handles personal information.

This week, German data protection commissioner Meike Kamp formally asked Apple and Google to remove DeepSeek's app from their respective app stores in the country. The reason: concerns that user data is being transferred to China without adequate safeguards.

"DeepSeek has not been able to provide my agency with convincing evidence that German users' data is protected in China to a level equivalent to that in the European Union," Kamp said in a statement. "Chinese authorities have far-reaching access rights to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies."

Kamp said she had asked the company in May to comply with EU data transfer requirements or withdraw its app voluntarily. Since DeepSeek failed to act, her office moved forward with the request to block it.

Google confirmed it had received the notice and was reviewing the request. Apple did not immediately respond. DeepSeek also declined to comment.

According to its own privacy policy, DeepSeek stores users' personal data — including uploaded files and AI interactions — on servers located in China.

DeepSeek made headlines earlier this year with claims that its AI model could rival tools like ChatGPT at a significantly lower cost. However, the company has since come under scrutiny across multiple jurisdictions.

Italy was the first EU country to block DeepSeek's app, citing insufficient transparency around data handling. The Netherlands banned it on government devices. Belgium has issued an advisory against its use by officials, while Spain's consumer group OCU has asked its national data agency to investigate.

In the UK, the government has taken a hands-off approach so far. A spokesperson for the technology ministry said, "The use of DeepSeek remains a personal choice for members of the public," but added, "If evidence of threats arises, we will not hesitate to take the appropriate steps to protect our national security."

In the U.S., lawmakers are preparing legislation to ban executive agencies from using any Chinese-developed AI tools. Meanwhile, Reuters reported this week that DeepSeek is also supporting China's military and intelligence activities, raising further alarms in Western capitals.