US Orders DeepSeek Removed From Federal Civilian Agency Systems

The US Department of Homeland Security has ordered federal civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek products from their IT systems. The order was filed on Monday and took effect as soon as it was published on Tuesday. It also stops affected agencies from making any new purchases of DeepSeek technology.

What the DeepSeek Ban Covers

The restriction goes beyond DeepSeek’s own tools. It reaches DeepSeek affiliates as well as third-party products and services built using DeepSeek implementations. That wide scope means agencies must check not only what they buy directly but also the software and services that rely on the technology underneath.

Data Security Concerns Over China

DHS warned that government employees and contractors using DeepSeek could expose sensitive information to China. The department said this could reveal details about US citizens and federal programs. It also pointed to security weaknesses found in DeepSeek’s iOS application, adding to the case for removal.

Earlier US Restrictions on DeepSeek

The order builds on earlier limits already placed on DeepSeek, including bans within the Commerce Department and parts of the US defense, security and intelligence community. The step comes as Washington and Beijing compete for leadership in artificial intelligence.

The US is not alone in restricting the Chinese AI tool. Australia banned DeepSeek products from government systems and devices in February 2025.