US Orders Federal Agencies to Remove DeepSeek AI From Systems, Citing National Security Concerns
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US orders federal agencies to remove China's DeepSeek AI from their systems
The U.S. has ordered federal civilian agencies to stop purchasing services and products developed by Chinese AI startup DeepSeek and remove them from government IT systems over national security concerns tied to the Chinese AI startup's operations in China, according to the Department of Homeland
[2]
US civilian agencies can't use DeepSeek, DHS says.
The Department of Homeland Security ordered the agencies to remove any technology created by the Chinese AI company over concerns that its models may transfer "sensitive data to the PRC," according to Reuters. The ban also prevents civilian agencies from using third-party services that integrate
[3]
DeepSeek deep-sixed at all US federal civilian agencies
Order disallowing use of Chinese AI service is unhelpfully vague and broad The US Department of Homeland Security on Monday issued an order directing federal civilian agencies not to use technology products from Chinese AI lab DeepSeek, and to remove any existing implementations. The order [PDF]
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U.S. Orders DeepSeek Removed From Federal Civilian Systems, Bans New Purchases
U.S. federal civilian agencies must remove DeepSeek products from their information technology systems, along with any third-party products or services "developed using DeepSeek implementations," under a Department of Homeland Security order. They may also no longer buy information technology
[5]
US bans DeepSeek across federal agencies, putting AI supply chains under scrutiny
For enterprise leaders, the order highlights a broader challenge: Identifying embedded AI models, tracing where data goes, and managing third-party risk. endif; ?> DeepSeek has been dealt a huge blow in the US, even as it continues to innovate and keep pace with, or in some cases outperform, rival
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DHS bans DeepSeek products across US federal civilian agencies
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is ordering federal civilian agencies to stop using DeepSeek products and remove them from government systems. The order also covers products from the Chinese AI company's affiliates and third-party products and services built using DeepSeek
[7]
China defends DeepSeek after US ban of its AI from government systems
HONG KONG (AP) -- China hit back Tuesday at a U.S. ban on Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek's products for federal civilian agencies, highlighting friction in the two AI powers' heated technology race. The agencies should remove DeepSeek and its affiliated products, as well as third
[8]
U.S. bans DeepSeek from government agency systems amid AI rift with China
* The Trump administration has banned DeepSeek-related technology from federal civilian agency IT systems, including third-party products and services built using its AI models. * The DHS order, issued in July and made public Monday, also bars federal civilian agencies from procuring DeepSeek
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Homeland Security bans DeepSeek use in federal civilian agencies - Engadget
The decision comes a couple of days after the release of the company's latest AI model. The Department of Homeland Security has issued a sweeping restriction to remove DeepSeek use across all federal civilian agencies and their IT systems. In a notice published with the Federal Register, DHS
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China Condemns U.S. Ban on DeepSeek A.I. in Government Systems
The response came after Homeland Security ordered the removal and exclusion of products developed by the Chinese tech giant. China on Tuesday accused the United States of discrimination "under the pretext of so-called national security" after a U.S. order banned products by the Chinese artificial
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US bans DeepSeek and AI tools built on its models from federal agencies, prompting angry response from China
Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. What just happened? DeepSeek might be one of the most popular non-US AI companies right now, but it's being shown the door across US federal civilian agencies. Washington has ordered the removal of
[12]
US bans DeepSeek AI from government use as tech tension with China continues
The US has ordered all artificial intelligence (AI) technology from the Chinese firm DeepSeek to be removed from most government systems. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has banned all use of DeepSeek within civilian government agencies, and any technology built with the aid of its AI
[13]
Trump Admin Bans DeepSeek From Federal Agencies
DeepSeek could be sending sensitive data to Beijing, administration fears. The Department of Homeland Security just banned the use of DeepSeek's technology across much of the federal government. In a notice posted on Monday, the DHS ordered federal civilian agencies like the Department of State
[14]
US orders civilian federal agencies to remove DeepSeek from their systems
A Homeland Security order also bars agencies from buying DeepSeek products or tools built on its models. The Department of Homeland Security has ordered US civilian federal agencies to remove DeepSeek products from their IT systems and stop buying them, under a 2018 supply chain security law. The
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DeepSeek just got banned from federal agencies -- should you stop using it too?
The Chinese chatbot is being removed over safety concerns, here's what it means for everyone else DeepSeek quickly became one of the biggest names in AI by offering a powerful, mostly free alternative to ChatGPT. But now the U.S. government wants the Chinese company's technology off federal
[16]
US Government issues order to remove all DeepSeek products and third-party services developed using DeepSeek immediately, as more fears of Chinese LLM loom large
* US civilian federal agencies must immediately remove DeepSeek from government systems * Federal departments can no longer purchase DeepSeek products or affiliated services * Military and intelligence organizations remain excluded The US government has directed civilian federal departments to
[17]
US bans use of China's DeepSeek AI tools by government agencies
Use of tools 'may result in the transfer of sensitive data to (China)', defense department says The US government on Monday ordered its agencies to stop using artificial intelligence (AI) tools from Chinese startup DeepSeek, as the countries race for dominance in the fast-moving sector. A notice
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Five things to know about Chinese AI startup DeepSeek
The United States Department of Homeland Security ordered government agencies on Monday to stop using artificial intelligence tools from DeepSeek, citing concerns over data being transferred to China. Here are five things to know about the Chinese AI startup following the new
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DeepSeek fires back at U.S.federal agency ban as 'overstretching of the concept of national security' | Fortune
The agencies should remove DeepSeek and its affiliated products, as well as third party products and services developed using DeepSeek, from their IT systems, the Department of Homeland Security said in a notice made public on Monday. The department's order, dating back to late July, also blocks
[20]
DeepSeek barred from U.S. civilian agency systems and contracts
Homeland Security's order also excludes the Chinese AI company and its affiliates from federal procurements under a 2018 supply chain law The Department of Homeland Security ordered civilian federal agencies to remove DeepSeek products from their information technology systems and excluded the
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US Orders Civilian Agencies to Rip DeepSeek Out of Government Systems
The Department of Homeland Security told civilian agencies to remove China's DeepSeek and any service built on it, and banned buying more, citing the risk of sensitive data reaching Beijing. In brief * DHS directed U.S. civilian agencies on Monday to remove DeepSeek products and third-party
[22]
Five things to know about Chinese AI startup DeepSeek
Beijing (AFP) - The United States Department of Homeland Security ordered government agencies on Monday to stop using artificial intelligence tools from DeepSeek, citing concerns over data being transferred to China. Here are five things to know about the Chinese AI startup following the new
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China defends DeepSeek after U.S. ban of its AI from government systems
The Department of Homeland Security said federal civilian agencies should remove the Chinese startup's products from their IT systems, citing security concerns. HONG KONG -- China hit back Tuesday at a U.S. ban on the use of Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek's products by federal
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DeepSeek AI tools banned from US government agency systems as rift with China grows
Federal civilian agencies are no longer allowed to use DeepSeek and must remove it from their tech stack * US civilian agencies have been ordered to stop using DeepSeek and remove it from government systems * DHS cited data security, user tracking, and potential national security risks tied to
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US Orders DeepSeek Removal From Federal Civilian Systems Over National Security Concerns
The US Department of Homeland Security noted that DeepSeek servers were in China and feared sensitive information of US citizens could be retained in China. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has ordered federal civilian agencies to stop procuring products and services from Chinese
[26]
U.S. bans AI startup Deepseek because of 'threat vectors' and China responds
In a notice that recently became public, DHS has been directing federal civilian agencies to to remove DeepSeek from their IT systems. China hit back Tuesday at a U.S. ban on Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek's products for federal civilian agencies, highlighting friction in the two
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US plans to remove DeepSeek from government agency systems
Amid growing tensions between the US and China, the US is reportedly wary of the 'multiple threat vectors' created by the use of DeepSeek. In a notice published on Monday (19 October), the US Homeland Security Department has ordered that US civilian agency IT systems remove all DeepSeek products
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Trump administration orders ban on DeepSeek in federal agencies
The Department of Homeland Security has ordered artificial intelligence technology from the Chinese company DeepSeek Ltd. be removed from all federal civilian agencies. The order, published on the Federal Register website today, warned that DeepSeek's AI models present "multiple threat vectors,"
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US bans DeepSeek AI from civilian government systems
The Department of Homeland Security directive also prohibits technology developed with DeepSeek models but excludes agencies under the Department of Defense. The United States has ordered Chinese firm DeepSeek's artificial intelligence technology removed from most government systems, banning its
[30]
US Orders Federal Agencies to Remove DeepSeek
The restrictions extend earlier bans within US defense and security agencies, amid concerns that DeepSeek could expose federal information to China. The US Department of Homeland Security has ordered the removal of DeepSeek products from federal civilian agency IT systems. The order, filed on
[31]
US bans use of China's DeepSeek by govt agencies
New York (AFP) - The US government on Monday ordered its agencies to stop using artificial intelligence tools from Chinese startup DeepSeek, as the countries race for dominance in the fast-moving sector. A notice from the Department of Homeland Security announced the ban on products developed by
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China defends DeepSeek after US ban
China is pushing back against the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) order to remove products from Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from government systems, warning of potential retaliation. A DHS order, which dates back to July but published to the Federal Register Monday, said DeepSeek's AI
[33]
China Defends DeepSeek After US Ban of Its AI From Government Systems
China has criticized a U.S. ban on AI startup DeepSeek for federal civilian agencies, highlighting tensions in the tech race between the two countries HONG KONG (AP) -- China hit back Tuesday at a U.S. ban on Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek's products for federal civilian
[34]
DeepSeek: China defends DeepSeek after US ban of its AI from government systems
In a fierce response to the US ban on DeepSeek's AI products, China has issued a grave warning about possible repercussions. The Department of Homeland Security directed federal agencies to remove all DeepSeek products. Beijing contends that this ban is not only unfair but also a threat to its
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DHS orders removal of DeepSeek from government agency IT systems
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has ordered that products from the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek be removed from federal agency IT systems and barred from government contracting. The order, which initially went out in July, was published on the federal register website Monday. It said
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From Rome to Washington, why governments are pulling DeepSeek off official systems
At least eight governments, now including the US, have restricted the Chinese AI company's products. Most cite the same concern - user data stored in China, where the law gives the state wide powers to access it. The US has joined governments across Europe and Asia in restricting DeepSeek,
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DHS Bans DeepSeek Across Federal Government Networks | PYMNTS.com
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued an order banning federal civilian agencies from acquiring products and services developed by DeepSeek and requiring them to remove the company's products from their information technology. DHS included these requirements in a notice of order
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China says US' DeepSeek ban disregards Xi-Trump consensus - The Korea Times
Linwei Ding, who founded Shanghai Zhisuan Technology, was found guilty in January of stealing AI trade secrets from a U.S. technology company, although his conviction was partially overturned in August. BEIJING -- China's commerce ministry on Tuesday criticised a U.S. government order banning
[39]
US banning Chinese AI DeepSeek from government agency IT systems
The US Homeland Security Department is ordering the removal of DeepSeek products and third-party services using the Chinese AI model from US civilian agency IT systems, according to a notice published Monday. The department is also banning acquisition of DeepSeek products and third-party services
[40]
China defends DeepSeek after U.S. ban of its AI from government systems
HONG KONG -- China hit back Tuesday at a U.S. ban on the use of Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek's products by federal civilian agencies and warned of retaliatory measures as the two AI powers race to develop the technology. The Department of Homeland Security said the agencies
[41]
DHS cracks down on China's DeepSeek as AI competition intensifies: 'Multiple threat vectors'
The Department of Homeland Security has ordered federal civilian agencies to remove AI developed by China's DeepSeek from their systems - the latest blow to a top Chinese model that has surged in popularity. Civilian agency IT systems must weed out all products affiliated with the Chinese AI
[42]
DeepSeek AI Ban: Why US is Blocking it from Government Networks?
The US Department of Homeland Security has ordered civilian government agencies to remove DeepSeek AI and related third-party services from their IT systems, citing potential data security risks. The United States has ordered civilian government agencies to remove Chinese AI platform DeepSeek from
[43]
US orders removal of China's DeepSeek products from federal civilian agencies - The Korea Times
South Korean foreign, trade and defense ministries blocked access to DeepSeek on government computers in February 2025. WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has ordered federal civilian agencies to remove products developed by Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) startup
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China criticizes US ban on DeepSeek AI from federal systems By Investing.com
Investing.com -- China's commerce ministry criticized a US government order on Tuesday that bans the Chinese AI model DeepSeek from federal agency IT systems, stating the move harmed Chinese firms' interests and ignored agreements reached by the countries' leaders. The ministry called on the US to
[45]
U.S. banning Chinese AI DeepSeek from government agency IT systems
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Homeland Security Department is ordering the removal of DeepSeek products and third-party services using the Chinese AI model from U.S. civilian agency IT systems, according to a notice published Monday. The department is also banning acquisition of DeepSeek products and
[46]
DeepSeek ban sparks China protest: even as Beijing blocks ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini
DHS ordered civilian agencies to remove apps and block derivatives DeepSeek, the Chinese AI company, is now barred from U.S. civilian federal systems, and Beijing isn't letting that pass quietly. The Department of Homeland Security has told agencies to remove DeepSeek products, stop purchasing
[47]
China says US DeepSeek ban disregards Xi-Trump consensus
BEIJING, Oct 20 (Reuters) - China's commerce ministry on Tuesday criticised a US government order banning Chinese AI model DeepSeek from federal agency IT systems, saying it harmed Chinese firms' interests and disregarded understandings reached by the countries' leaders. In a statement, the
[48]
DeepSeek faces US federal ban: DHS orders civilian agencies to remove it
Since July, directive has also covered third-party tools using its models Since July, DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company, has been barred from U.S. federal civilian agency systems. The Department of Homeland Security has ordered agencies to remove DeepSeek products and stop making new purchases. That
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China says US banning DeepSeek from government IT systems disregards consensus reached by Xi, Trump
BEIJING, Oct 20 (Reuters) - China's commerce ministry on Tuesday said the US government's order to ban Chinese AI model DeepSeek from government agency IT systems "disregards important consensus" reached between the two countries' leaders, seriously hurts Chinese firms' interests, and interferes
[50]
US banning Chinese AI DeepSeek from government agency IT systems
WASHINGTON, Oct 19 (Reuters) - The U.S. Homeland Security Department is ordering the removal of DeepSeek products and third-party services using the Chinese AI model from U.S. civilian agency IT systems, according to a notice published Monday. The department is also banning acquisition of DeepSeek
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The Department of Homeland Security has mandated all federal civilian agencies to purge DeepSeek AI products and services from their IT systems within 60 days. The order extends beyond DeepSeek's own offerings to include third-party tools built using DeepSeek implementations, raising questions about AI supply chain transparency and U.S.-China tech competition.
Federal Agencies Face 60-Day Deadline to Eliminate Chinese AI Technology
The Department of Homeland Security order mandates that US federal agencies remove DeepSeek AI products and services from their IT systems within 60 days
1
. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin issued the directive under the Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act of 2018, targeting Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co., Ltd., the developer behind the R1 and V3 models4
. The ban affects federal civilian agencies including the Departments of Treasury, State, and Justice, though it does not extend to private consumers, state and local governments, or Department of Defense national security systems5
. Agencies can request exceptions by submitting written justifications to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, citing mission-critical functions or national security considerations5
.
Source: PYMNTS
Third-Party AI Risks Create Compliance Challenges
The DHS ban extends beyond direct DeepSeek AI products and services to encompass third-party products and services developed using DeepSeek implementations
1
. This broad scope creates significant compliance challenges, as the order fails to clearly define what "developed using" means in practice3
. Katie Moussouris, founder and CEO of Luta Security, pointed out that the directive could technically cover any model derived from DeepSeek and any software whose developers used DeepSeek to write or test code3
. The ambiguity extends to AI gateways like OpenRouter and Vercel AI Gateway, which route requests to various AI providers and could inadvertently connect users to DeepSeek models without their knowledge3
. Supply chain risk assessment becomes particularly complex because AI software bills of materials don't record which tools developers used during the creation process3
.
Source: The Hill
Data Sovereignty Concerns Drive Security Restrictions
The Department of Homeland Security order cites multiple threat vectors related to data sovereignty and the People's Republic of China legal framework
5
. DHS raised concerns about DeepSeek's handling of user data, warning that sensitive information from US government users could potentially be accessible to Chinese authorities under Chinese law1
. The company's servers are located in the People's Republic of China, where the legal system grants extensive authority to government cyber and intelligence functions to access private infrastructure5
. DeepSeek's account generation process collects personally identifiable information and may track and digitally fingerprint users, while its prompt response process may result in the transfer of sensitive data to the People's Republic of China5
. Erik Avakian, technical counselor at Infotech, explained that organizations using hosted AI services potentially send intellectual property and confidential business information into environments where they have little visibility or control5
.Security Vulnerabilities Compound National Security Risks
Beyond data access concerns, the order highlights security vulnerabilities within DeepSeek models themselves
5
. NIST research found DeepSeek more vulnerable to prompt injection than US models and easier to jailbreak, though every model faces these challenges to varying degrees3
. Open-source security research published in February 2025 uncovered multiple critical vulnerabilities in iOS mobile apps using DeepSeek technology5
. A December 2025 report on DeepSeek mobile apps for Android and iOS cited plaintext information leaks, links to servers run by Chinese tech firms, and shortcomings like lack of SSL pinning3
. Most notably, in January 2025, the Chinese AI company leaked more than one million log entries, including chat histories, API secrets, and other sensitive information through an unsecured database5
.Related Stories
U.S.-China Tech Competition Intensifies Around AI Development
The federal civilian agencies ban represents an escalation in U.S.-China tech competition, building on previous restrictions targeting intelligence and national security systems
1
. A law passed in December 2025 initially targeted DeepSeek's use in intelligence and national security systems before the latest order extended restrictions to federal civilian agencies1
. The US accused DeepSeek and five other Chinese AI companies, including Alibaba and Moonshot AI, of using large-scale model distillation to extract information from American AI systems in a September report1
. OpenAI and Anthropic separately raised concerns about DeepSeek's alleged use of model distillation, with OpenAI telling US lawmakers it observed suspected attempts by DeepSeek to distill its models1
. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded that Beijing opposes overstretching the concept of national security and politicizing technology and trade issues, pledging to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises1
.
Source: AIM
Geopolitical Implications Reshape AI Market Dynamics
The timing of the DHS ban may benefit American AI companies like Anthropic that hope to go public soon, as open-weight models from China represent significant competition in terms of capabilities and cost
3
. Government agencies unable to deploy Chinese models may face higher costs from favored US model makers like OpenAI and Anthropic3
. China is reportedly considering export restrictions on 23 AI-related technologies, including chip designs and certain advanced AI models, to address security and misuse risks1
. The Chinese AI lab faced scrutiny from governments and regulators globally since its R1 reasoning model shook the AI industry in January 2025, triggering a sharp sell-off in Nvidia shares1
. The Defense Information Systems Agency started blocking DeepSeek on Pentagon IT networks in January 2025, followed by similar steps from the US Navy, NASA, and the US House of Representatives4
. Watch for potential retaliatory measures from China and increased scrutiny of AI supply chains across both government and enterprise sectors as this technology rivalry continues to reshape global AI development and deployment strategies.References
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