The primary concern revolves around the storage of personal data on servers located in China. According to DeepSeek's privacy policy, personal information collected from users is transferred to these servers, which has sparked fears about the potential access by Chinese authorities under the country's National Security Law.
The DPC has formally requested information from DeepSeek regarding the data processing activities related to Irish users. This includes details on what personal data is collected, the sources of this data, the purposes for which it is used, the legal basis for processing, and whether the data is stored in China.
Ireland is not alone in its concerns. Italy's data protection authority, Garante, has also contacted DeepSeek with similar requests. The Italian regulator has asked for confirmation on the types of personal data collected, the sources, the purposes, and the legal basis for processing, as well as whether the data is stored on Chinese servers.
Irish citizens and businesses have been advised to exercise caution when using the DeepSeek app.
Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne emphasized the importance of understanding where data is stored and the potential risks associated with data being stored in China.
The DPC's inquiry into DeepSeek highlights the ongoing global concerns about data privacy and the need for stringent regulations to protect personal information in the age of AI.
References:
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[RTE] (https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/0129/1493651-dpc-deepseek-ai/)
[Silicon Republic](https://www.siliconrepublic.com/business/dpc-deepseek-data-ireland)
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