Germany’s Federal Commissioner for Data Protection, Louisa Specht-Riemenschneider, is poised to take action against the Chinese AI chatbot Deepseek, citing concerns over data privacy compliance. In statements released to the Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, she asserted that Deepseek should be removed from app stores until the platform adheres to European data protection regulations. A key issue, according to the Commissioner, lies in the significant disparity between China’s data protection standards and those stipulated by the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). She described data transfers to China as “extremely critical” due to this difference.
Beyond Deepseek, Specht-Riemenschneider also voiced criticism regarding the data practices of US-based technology firm Meta. She questioned the fairness of Meta’s approach to AI training, which utilizes user data from individuals who did not actively object to its use at the time it was collected. “No one considered ten years ago that data would be used for AI training” she remarked, advocating for more transparent and user-centric data governance.
Addressing criticisms suggesting data protection measures stifle innovation, Specht-Riemenschneider strongly refuted the notion. She emphasized that data protection acts as a “trust guarantee” and can even contribute to a competitive advantage. The real impediment to innovation, she argued, is a lack of legal clarity within the digital market, stemming from a complex and often contradictory array of digital legislation. She called for better-coordinated digital laws across Europe, establishing clear guidelines for data protection implementation.
The Commissioner expressed concern over Europe’s increasing dependence on large digital platforms, noting that few offerings can be definitively assessed as fully compliant. She warned that some platforms appear indifferent to breaches of regulations. Describing this reliance as one of society’s most significant challenges, she underscored the need for more robust oversight and accountability.
Specht-Riemenschneider acknowledged the potential of the EU’s Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act, particularly in addressing issues like online hate speech, as positive steps towards a more regulated digital landscape.