Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) has raised concerns over potential breaches of European Union privacy laws by Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek. The regulator has reached out to the company to address issues regarding the processing of Irish citizens’ data.
Irish Watchdog Investigates DeepSeek for Potential EU Privacy Violations
The DPC, responsible for overseeing major tech firms operating within the EU, confirmed it has formally contacted DeepSeek to inquire about its data processing practices.
“We have written to DeepSeek requesting information on the data processing conducted in relation to data subjects in Ireland,” stated Graham Doyle, Deputy Commissioner at the Irish watchdog.
DeepSeek’s AI Model Raises Global Concerns
DeepSeek recently introduced R1, an open-source artificial intelligence model designed to replicate human reasoning. The launch has disrupted a market dominated by OpenAI, Google, and Meta, as the Chinese firm claims R1 outperforms leading AI models in mathematical reasoning and general knowledge—at a significantly lower cost.
The emergence of DeepSeek’s technology has impacted global AI investments, causing major tech stocks, including Microsoft, Nvidia, Oracle, and Alphabet, to drop significantly, erasing nearly $1 trillion in market value on Monday.
Regulatory Challenges for DeepSeek in Europe
While it remains uncertain whether DeepSeek falls directly under the jurisdiction of the Irish DPC, the regulator is responsible for ensuring that major tech companies like Meta and Google comply with EU data protection regulations. The ongoing inquiry underscores the growing scrutiny of AI firms and their handling of personal data within the European market.
As concerns over data privacy and regulatory compliance grow, DeepSeek’s future in the EU may hinge on how it addresses these critical issues with the Irish watchdog.
