Germany's data protection commissioner has asked Apple and Google to remove Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from their app stores in the country due to concerns about data protection, following a similar crackdown elsewhere.

This is not DeepSeek's first run-in with regulators in Europe, following run-ins with Italian and Irish authorities.

Germany has told Apple and Google to remove Chinese AI app DeepSeek from their app stores, saying the company transfers users' data to China illegally.