The United States government has ordered civilian federal agencies to purge products developed by Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek from their computer systems, in a sweeping new DeepSeek government ban that also covers third-party services built using the company’s AI models. The directive, issued by the Department of Homeland Security and published in the Federal Register on 20 October, bars agencies from using or acquiring DeepSeek products over fears that sensitive data could reach China.
FAKTA
- The Department of Homeland Security ordered 102 civilian federal executive branch agencies to remove DeepSeek software and affiliated tools from their IT systems.
- Agencies are also barred from buying DeepSeek products or third-party services developed using its models, including its API and coding tools.
- DHS warned that use by government employees or vendors could transfer sensitive data to China, citing “multiple threat vectors”.
- The ban does not cover the US military or intelligence services, which were already subject to a December 2025 law restricting DeepSeek.
- China’s commerce ministry said Beijing is “strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposes” the order and would “take all necessary measures” to protect its interests.
The DHS notice says DeepSeek’s models present “multiple threat vectors” and warns that their use “may result in the transfer of sensitive data to [China] if used by US government employees or vendors”. Officials pointed to DeepSeek’s servers being located in China, where the legal system gives the government “extensive authority” to access private company infrastructure. The department also pointed to security vulnerabilities identified in DeepSeek’s iOS application.
What the DeepSeek Government Ban Covers
The order goes further than DeepSeek’s own apps: it covers third-party products and services built using DeepSeek’s technology, including its API and coding tools. Agencies may seek exemptions through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency within 60 days. The directive applies to civilian agencies — including the departments of Treasury, Justice, State, and Agriculture — but not to the military or intelligence services, which were already restricted under a December 2025 law.
The restrictions took effect upon publication of the order, expanding earlier US limits on DeepSeek that had included bans within the Commerce Department and parts of the defence and intelligence community. Australia banned DeepSeek from government systems and devices in February 2025.
China Pushes Back: “Take All Necessary Measures”
China’s commerce ministry said on Tuesday that it was “strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposes” the order, urging Washington to “immediately correct wrong practices … and revoke relevant discriminatory restrictive measures”. Beijing said it would closely monitor developments and “take all necessary measures” to safeguard the interests of Chinese companies.
“China has consistently opposed the overstretching of the concept of national security,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a news conference. Beijing said the move disregards understandings reached between the two countries’ leaders and politicises scientific, technological and trade issues.
The Bigger US-China AI Race
DeepSeek, one of China’s leading AI developers, shook the industry in January 2025 with a low-cost, high-performance chatbot that challenged assumptions of US dominance in artificial intelligence. The company released its V4 model in April and this month updated a faster, lighter version.
Washington has accused DeepSeek and other major Chinese AI companies of systematically obtaining capabilities from advanced AI models developed by American competitors — a charge Beijing rejects. Despite the rivalry, China and the United States agreed in September to set up a “communication channel” for AI incidents, and the topic is expected to come up again when the countries’ leaders meet next month at a summit in the Chinese city of Shenzhen.
| Scope | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who is affected | 102 civilian federal executive branch agencies |
| What is banned | DeepSeek products, affiliates, and third-party services using its models |
| Exemptions | Agencies may apply via CISA within 60 days |
| Not covered | Military and intelligence services (already restricted under Dec 2025 law) |
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Conclusion
The DeepSeek government ban marks a new front in the US-China technology rivalry, extending Washington’s scrutiny from chips and networks to the AI tools government employees use every day. With Beijing vowing retaliation and the two leaders due to meet in Shenzhen next month, the dispute over one Chinese chatbot has become a test of whether the two powers can keep their fragile AI dialogue on track.
