Italy's Garante blocks access to the Chinese AI application DeepSeek, raising concerns over user data practices and compliance with European regulations.
Italy’s data protection authority, known as Garante, has taken decisive action by blocking access to the Chinese AI application DeepSeek in a bid to safeguard user data. This move, announced on Thursday, highlights the ongoing scrutiny faced by AI technologies, especially from foreign entities operating within Europe.
The Garante's concerns stem from an unsatisfactory response from the developers behind DeepSeek regarding their data practices. In particular, the authority queried the company about the types of personal data they collect, the storage locations of this data, and how users are informed about these practices. In response, the companies associated with DeepSeek claimed to operate outside of Italy, asserting that European regulations do not apply to them. However, the Garante firmly countered this position by emphasising that the app had amassed millions of downloads globally within a matter of days, indicating significant user engagement in Italy.
DeepSeek's advanced chatbot functionality has escalated the competition in the field of AI technologies, positioning itself as a formidable contender against established American generative AI platforms, and doing so at a fraction of the associated costs. This development in the AI technology race is notable, given the significant market dynamics that are shifting as new players enter the field.
As investigations proceed, the implications for user privacy and the operational frameworks of AI companies in Europe remain a focal point. The Garante’s actions underscore the importance of compliance with local data protection laws and the potential challenges faced by international tech firms in navigating these regulations.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative is recent, referencing an action taken by Italy's data protection authority on a specific date in January 2025. There is no indication that the content is recycled from older sources.
Quotes check
Score:
0
Notes:
There are no direct quotes in the narrative to verify.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable local news outlet, WSLs, which generally provides reliable information. However, the specific details about DeepSeek's data practices and the Garante's actions could benefit from additional verification from primary sources.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about DeepSeek and the Garante's actions are plausible given the ongoing scrutiny of AI technologies and data privacy concerns in Europe. The narrative aligns with current trends in tech regulation.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative appears to be fresh and plausible, with no recycled content. The source is generally reliable, though additional verification of specific details would enhance confidence. The lack of direct quotes means there is no risk of misattributed or fabricated quotes.
