Italy’s data protection authority has taken decisive action against the Chinese AI application DeepSeek, blocking access to the chatbot and launching an investigation over serious concerns regarding user data protection. This move underscores broader global discussions on data privacy and AI regulation.
The Garante, Italy’s national data protection authority, criticized DeepSeek’s lack of transparency, particularly in how it collects and handles user data. Regulators accused the companies behind DeepSeek of failing to provide sufficient responses to inquiries, disputing their claims that they do not operate in Italy and are not subject to European data laws. Despite these assertions, DeepSeek has been downloaded by millions worldwide, reflecting its rapid adoption.
Chinese AI, launched earlier this month, was initially celebrated as China’s breakthrough in the highly competitive AI market, long dominated by Silicon Valley giants. However, the chatbot quickly attracted scrutiny from OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. OpenAI has raised concerns that Chinese AI may have improperly used its proprietary data to train its AI model through distillation techniques—methods that OpenAI claims violate its terms of service.
U.S. officials have also taken notice. Howard Lutnick, the nominee for U.S. Commerce Secretary, accused Chinese AI of misappropriating American technology, stating, “They stole things. They broke in. They’ve taken our IP.” Similarly, David Sacks, the White House’s AI and cryptocurrency advisor, expressed concern over DeepSeek’s alleged use of OpenAI’s data, acknowledging the need for a balanced approach in regulating AI while fostering innovation.
The controversy highlights broader concerns over AI governance, data security, and international competition. The Garante’s action against Chinese AI reflects growing global unease over data privacy and the increasing tensions between U.S. and Chinese tech firms.
Experts predict this case could lead to stricter AI regulations worldwide and heightened demands for transparency regarding how AI companies collect and process data. As AI continues to reshape industries, discussions on ethical AI development, intellectual property, and global regulation will only intensify.
For now, the Italian regulator has ordered Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence and Beijing DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence—the companies behind the chatbot—to immediately stop processing Italian user data. This follows DeepSeek’s refusal to cooperate with previous inquiries from Italian authorities.
This is not the first time Italy has imposed such a ban; in 2023, it temporarily blocked OpenAI’s ChatGPT over privacy concerns before allowing it to resume operations after compliance with regulatory demands. The DeepSeek case may set yet another precedent for AI oversight in Europe and beyond.
