Italy's data protection authority has blocked access to the Chinese app "DeepSeek" to protect user data.
The authority has expressed dissatisfaction with DeepSeek's response on what personal data it collects, how it protects it and how users are notified, the AP reported.
"The companies declared that they do not operate in Italy and that European legislation does not apply to them," the authority's statement said.
"DeepSeek" has shaken markets, raising concerns in the US about the future of its artificial intelligence development.
