US Orders Federal Agencies to Remove DeepSeek AI
US Orders Federal Agencies to Remove DeepSeek AI
A new federal order bars DeepSeek technology from civilian government IT systems and future procurement, escalating the debate over artificial intelligence, data security and foreign technology suppliers.
DeepSeek Technology Must Be Removed From Covered Government Systems
The Department of Homeland Security published a notice directing federal civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek products from their information technology environments.
The order also excludes covered products and services from future federal civilian procurement. It names Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co., Ltd., the Chinese company behind the AI models, along with affiliated entities.
Importantly, the restriction extends beyond DeepSeek’s official chatbot or applications. It also includes third-party products and services developed using DeepSeek implementations, creating a potentially broad compliance challenge for federal technology teams.
Federal civilian agency IT systems and procurement of covered DeepSeek technology. It does not establish a nationwide prohibition on individuals using DeepSeek on their personal devices.
Why US Officials Consider DeepSeek a Risk
US officials have raised concerns about the handling of sensitive information by AI services connected to foreign jurisdictions.
In reporting about the order, the Department of Homeland Security identified risks involving potential access to information, the generation of intelligence about US entities and security vulnerabilities associated with covered technology.
A central concern is whether information supplied to AI systems could become accessible to authorities in China under applicable laws or through the company’s technical infrastructure.
These are the government’s stated security concerns. They should not be confused with a finding that every DeepSeek deployment has been compromised or that all users have experienced data theft.
Data Privacy
Agencies must consider whether prompts, documents or other information could be exposed through AI services.
Foreign Jurisdiction
The location and legal obligations of technology suppliers can influence government security assessments.
Third-Party Integration
DeepSeek models may appear inside other software products, making dependency reviews important.
Supply Chain Security
Procurement controls can address risks before software enters sensitive government environments.
The Order Uses Federal Supply Chain Security Powers
The federal notice cites the Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act of 2018, a law that provides a framework for addressing risks associated with certain information technology products and services used by federal agencies.
The Department of Homeland Security said the order followed a recommendation from the Federal Acquisition Security Council and review of supporting evidence.
The published notice identifies the exclusion and removal requirements, while the accompanying signed order contains additional implementation material.
The formal Federal Register notice appears under docket number DHS-2026-0628 and document number 2026-21447.
Federal Register, Volume 91, Number 201, October 20, 2026, pages 66346–66350. The notice addresses exclusion from federal civilian procurement and removal from federal civilian IT systems.
Removing an AI Model Can Be More Complicated Than Deleting an App
DeepSeek provides models that developers can integrate into applications and services. This means covered technology may not always be visible as a standalone product with the DeepSeek name.
Federal technology teams may need to examine software inventories, model dependencies, vendor agreements and integrations to identify covered implementations.
The precise compliance process will depend on official implementation guidance and the scope of the signed order.
Review AI applications, software dependencies and vendor services for DeepSeek implementations.
Prevent acquisition of covered products and services under applicable agency requirements.
Coordinate changes to applications and services so essential government operations can continue.
Confirm that affected systems meet agency instructions and maintain records of remediation.
China Criticizes the Decision as Politically Motivated
China’s government criticized the US restriction, arguing that national security concerns were being used to justify discriminatory treatment of Chinese technology companies.
Chinese officials urged Washington to reverse the measure and said they would defend the interests of Chinese businesses.
The dispute reflects competing positions. US officials emphasize the need to protect government information and technology systems, while Chinese officials argue that restrictions unfairly target companies based on their country of origin.
These disagreements are part of a broader competition over artificial intelligence, advanced computing and technology supply chains.
DeepSeek Has Already Faced Government Restrictions Elsewhere
The federal order follows earlier restrictions involving DeepSeek in parts of the US government and in other countries.
Some agencies and state governments had already limited the use of DeepSeek tools on official systems. Internationally, governments have examined similar issues involving privacy, cybersecurity and sensitive data.
Government restrictions do not necessarily mean a technology is unavailable to the general public. Policies can differ substantially between public-sector devices, commercial systems and private consumer use.
Federal Agencies
The new order applies across covered civilian executive branch systems and procurements.
State Governments
Several US states previously adopted restrictions on DeepSeek in government environments.
International Scrutiny
Authorities in other countries have also examined DeepSeek’s privacy and security implications.
Private Users
The federal civilian procurement and removal order does not itself prohibit personal use nationwide.
What This Means for Open AI Models and Developers
DeepSeek has attracted attention for AI models used in reasoning, programming and other applications. Some of its models are distributed in forms that developers can deploy through third-party platforms or on their own infrastructure.
That flexibility creates an important distinction between using a hosted AI service and running model software within an organization’s own controlled environment.
However, the language of the federal order reaches certain third-party products and services developed using DeepSeek implementations. Agencies therefore cannot assume that locally hosted or rebranded deployments are automatically outside its scope.
For developers and technology buyers, the broader lesson is that AI adoption increasingly requires attention to licensing, provenance, security review, data handling and government procurement requirements.
Can Governments Balance AI Innovation With Security?
Artificial intelligence systems are becoming part of everyday work, including software development, research, document analysis and public services.
As adoption grows, governments face difficult decisions about which systems can handle sensitive information and how to assess the risks associated with external providers.
Security restrictions may reduce exposure to certain risks, but they can also complicate procurement, narrow technology choices and create challenges for organizations that already depend on affected tools.
The DeepSeek decision illustrates how AI governance is moving beyond abstract debates and into practical decisions about which models organizations may purchase, deploy and operate.
AI Security Is Becoming a Major Factor in Government Technology Decisions
The US government’s decision to remove DeepSeek from federal civilian IT systems marks another significant development in the relationship between artificial intelligence and national security. The restriction covers not only the company’s own products but also certain third-party implementations, highlighting the complexity of modern AI supply chains. China has criticized the measure, while US officials maintain that protecting sensitive government information is essential. For organizations evaluating AI tools, the lesson extends beyond DeepSeek: understanding where technology comes from, how information is handled and which dependencies exist is increasingly important. The order is specific to federal civilian systems and should not be mistaken for a nationwide ban on consumer use.
Information reflects official notices and reporting available through October 20, 2026. The scope and implementation of the order are governed by the applicable federal documents and agency guidance.
