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US Orders Removal of DeepSeek AI from Government Systems
· Confirmed
In Short: The order from the Department of Homeland Security also requires the removal of any existing DeepSeek technology from civilian federal networks, effective immediately, as reported by Vitallaw.
The United States Department of Homeland Security has ordered federal civilian agencies to remove Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek’s products and related third-party services from their IT systems, citing concerns that sensitive government information could be transferred to China, according to reports from The420.in (India) and Koreatimes (Korea, Republic of).
Both publications reported that the notice warns of risks involving government data, particularly when employees or contractors interact with AI-powered applications during official work. However, The420.in noted that the available notice does not specify a deadline for completing the removal or explain how individual agencies will implement the restrictions, while Koreatimes did not mention these specifics.
The420.in and Koreatimes agree that federal civilian agencies are being instructed to discontinue affected services and avoid future purchases of technology developed using DeepSeek models. The order is specific to civilian agency systems, not a universal ban covering state governments, private businesses, or foreign governments.
The notice, detailed in a memo made public on Monday, was issued under the Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act of 2018. It covers Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co., Ltd., and its affiliated entities, as well as third-party products and services built on DeepSeek implementations.
According to Tech-Insider, the signed document is formally titled the FASCSA Exclusion and Removal Order #2026-01, filed under docket number DHS-2026-0628 on Regulations.gov. Tech-Insider also noted that the directive includes third-party tools built using DeepSeek technology.
The order, detailed in a notice scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, applies to information technology products and services developed by Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co. and its affiliated entities, according to Koreatimes.
The DHS said DeepSeek models pose “multiple threat vectors” and raised concerns that use of the product “may result in the transfer of sensitive data to the PRC if used by U.S. government employees or vendors,” as reported by Ksl and Tech-Insider.
The order also requires agencies to monitor flows of traffic in and out of government websites to address potential risks from DeepSeek, as noted by Ksl and Vitallaw.
The directive covers DeepSeek, its affiliates, and products and services developed using DeepSeek implementations, as reported by Techspot.
DeepSeek did not immediately respond to AP’s request for comment, and China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that China will “resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies,” according to Techspot.
The order does not ban private businesses or individuals in the United States from using DeepSeek, as reported by Koreatimes.
South Korea also restricted DeepSeek on government computers in February 2025 over data collection and potential information leaks, according to Koreatimes.
What this adds
The sources have not established the exact timeline for the removal of DeepSeek products from government systems, nor have they provided specific details on how individual agencies will implement the restrictions.
Background
The US has ordered all DeepSeek AI technology from China to be removed from government systems, citing national security risks.
What's confirmed
- The United States Department of Homeland Security has ordered federal civilian agencies to remove Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek’s products and related third-party services from their IT systems, citing concerns that sensitive government information could be transferred to China.
- "could produce actionable intelligence on U.S. persons and/or government agencies. The models themselves may contain malware or other security vulnerabilities."
- DHS said DeepSeek models pose "multiple threat vectors" and raised concerns that use of the product "may result in the transfer of sensitive data to the PRC if used by U.S. government employees or vendors."
- The order, covering Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co., affiliates and third-party products using DeepSeek implementations, was issued under the Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act of 2018.
- The order, detailed in a notice scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, applies to information technology products and services developed by Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co. and its affiliated entities.
What's still developing
- Those details, along with any technical remediation guidance, are expected to follow in implementation instructions from the Office of Management and Budget or individual agency CIOs, following the pattern used in prior supply-chain exclusion orders.