Science & Tech · AI · 1 hr ago
US orders DeepSeek AI removed from civilian government systems
The US has ordered civilian government agencies to remove DeepSeek AI products from their systems.
DeepSeek is a Chinese company whose AI models are popular partly because they are cheaper to use than many competitors.
The Department of Homeland Security says using the models could expose sensitive information to China and that they may contain malware or other security weaknesses.
The restriction covers civilian agencies, but not the Defense Department, and also bars agencies from buying DeepSeek products or services built using its models.
The order took effect at the end of July and was made public on October 19.
Agencies must remove existing DeepSeek tools and monitor network traffic to address potential risks.
The move comes amid US-China competition over AI, as DeepSeek's latest model was released shortly before the order became public.
The US Department of Homeland Security has ordered federal civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek products and related services from their IT systems.
The order also bars those agencies from acquiring DeepSeek products and third-party services developed using the Chinese AI model.
DHS said the products could expose sensitive data and may contain malware or other security vulnerabilities.
The notice also bars DeepSeek from participating in federal government contracts.
- Who
- The US Department of Homeland Security issued the order, which applies to federal civilian agencies.
- What
- Agencies must remove DeepSeek products and third-party services using the model from their IT systems and may not acquire them.
- When
- The notice was published on October 19, 2026.
- Where
- US federal civilian agency IT systems.
- Why
- DHS cited risks including possible transfers of sensitive data to the Chinese government and potential malware or other security vulnerabilities.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
DHS told federal agencies to monitor traffic to and from government websites to address potential risks from DeepSeek.
DHS published its notice ordering civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek products and related services from their IT systems.
- Issuing department
- US Department of Homeland Security
- Publication date
- October 19, 2026
- Affected systems
- US federal civilian agency IT systems
- Acquisition restriction
- DeepSeek products and third-party services developed using DeepSeek
- Contract restriction
- DeepSeek barred from federal government contracts
3 sources
What people are saying
multiple threat vectors
may result in the transfer of sensitive data to the PRC if used by US government employees or vendors
could produce actionable intelligence on US persons and/or government agencies. The models themselves may contain malware or other security vulnerabilities