Italian iPhone Users Encounter Access Issues with DeepSeek's App

On Wednesday, users in Italy discovered that the DeepSeek application, developed by a Chinese AI firm, was no longer accessible on Apple Inc.'s App Store, with a message indicating the app is "currently not available in the country or area [they] are in." Similar reports have surfaced regarding the Google Play Store.

Data Protection Authority's Inquiry into DeepSeek

This development follows a recent inquiry by Italy's Data Protection Authority (DPA), which requested detailed information from DeepSeek about the types of personal data stored by its app. The DPA is seeking clarity on the sources of this data, the purposes for its collection, the legal basis for its processing, and whether it is stored on servers located in China.

DeepSeek has been given a 20-day deadline to comply with the DPA's request for information.