The DeepSeek app has quickly hit the top of appstore download charts. However, while the markets reacted, people downloaded and governments strategised, Euroconsumers and its members were standing up for consumers’ interests by scrutinising DeepSeek’s handling of people’s personal data.
AI innovation must not come at the cost of privacy
When DeepSeek launched in January 2025, its AI chatbot quickly attracted millions of downloads. But behind its rapid success, questions emerged about how the company collected, stored and used consumers’ personal data, and whether its practices complied with European data protection rules.
Protecting consumers across borders
Euroconsumers and its members identified potential GDPR violations, including transfers of European users’ data to China without adequate safeguards, unclear data retention policies and insufficient protection for children. Altroconsumo reported the concerns to Italy’s data protection authority, while consumer organisations in Belgium, Spain and Portugal also filed complaints with their national authorities.
Our call
AI should empower consumers without compromising their fundamental rights. Euroconsumers and its members are calling for transparency, strong data protection and effective enforcement to ensure that innovation goes hand in hand with consumer trust and privacy.
Letters, complaints and collective actions, with the documents that back them.
