Italy Blocks Access to Chinese AI Application DeepSeek

italy - Italy's Data Protection Authority (GPDP) has blocked access to the Chinese artificial intelligence application DeepSeek.

Italy Blocks Access to DeepSeek AI Application

Italy's Data Protection Authority (GPDP) has announced the blocking of access to the Chinese artificial intelligence application DeepSeek, owned by Hangzhou DeepSeek AI and Beijing DeepSeek AI companies. The decision was made to prevent the processing of Italian users' data following inadequate information provided by the companies.

A simultaneous investigation has been initiated alongside the access block. GPDP had previously launched an examination into Chinese AI applications, requesting confirmation on how personal data was collected, from which sources, for what purposes, and legally.

Since Wednesday, DeepSeek application has been unavailable for download from digital stores in Italy. In the past, GPDP had temporarily suspended OpenAI's ChatGPT AI application due to suspected violations of data collection rules, which was later resolved after commitments to enhance privacy and user rights.

About DeepSeek

DeepSeek, supported by High-Flyer Capital Management in China, introduced its new open-source model, DeepSeek-R1, on January 20. The AI model quickly gained popularity worldwide, surpassing ChatGPT as the most downloaded AI application.

The launch of a low-cost AI model by a Chinese company raised concerns about Western dominance in the industry and led to selling pressure in global technology stocks.