Suspense crime, Digital Desk : Italy's data protection authority is once again taking a hardline stance on artificial intelligence, this time targeting the Chinese AI firm Deepseek. The regulator has formally requested that Apple and Google remove the company's AI chatbot app from their respective app stores, citing significant concerns over data privacy and the safety of underage users.This move marks another assertive step by Italy’s watchdog, the Garante, which famously ordered a temporary ban on OpenAI's ChatGPT last year for similar reasons. The investigation into Deepseek was launched after the authority found several potential violations of the European Union's strict General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).According to the Garante, the primary issues with the Deepseek app are threefold:Lack of Age Verification: The regulator claims the app does not have an effective system in place to verify a user's age or to prevent minors under the age of 13 from accessing its services.Unlawful Data Collection: There are serious questions about the legal basis for the vast amount of personal data being collected and processed to train the AI's algorithms. The authority believes this is being done without proper user consent or legal justification.Risk of Inaccurate Information: The regulator also highlighted the potential for the AI to generate inaccurate or false information, posing a risk to users who rely on its outputs.Apple and Google have been formally "invited"—a strong directive in regulatory terms—to block the app from being downloaded in Italy. Meanwhile, Deepseek has been given 30 days to respond to the allegations and defend its data processing practices.This action reinforces Italy's position as one of Europe's most proactive enforcers of digital privacy laws. It sends a clear message to AI developers worldwide: access to the European market is contingent on strict adherence to data protection standards, especially when it comes to safeguarding children and user data.
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