Italy Blocks DeepSeek Over Data Privacy Concerns

Italy's data protection agency has blocked the Chinese AI chatbot DeekSeek after its developers failed to disclose how it collects user data or whether it is stored on Chinese servers. Reuters reports: DeepSeek could not be accessed on Wednesday in Apple or Google app stores in Italy, the day after the authority, known also as the Garante, requested information on its use of personal data. In particular, it wanted to know what personal data is collected, from which sources, for what purposes, on what legal basis and whether it is stored in China. The authority's decision -- aimed at protecting Italian users' data -- came after the Chinese companies that supply chatbot service to DeepSeek provided information that 'was considered to totally insufficient,' the authority said in a note on its website. The Garante added that the decision had 'immediate effect' and that it had also opened an investigation. Thanks to new submitter axettone for sharing the news.

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