The US Department of Homeland Security has issued a directive requiring the removal of DeepSeek software from all federal civilian agency IT systems. This order, published on Tuesday, prohibits government agencies and contractors from purchasing or utilizing any products or services developed by DeepSeek or its affiliates.
The department cited potential security risks, noting that the use of these tools could expose sensitive federal data and information regarding US citizens to China. Additionally, officials highlighted specific security vulnerabilities discovered within the DeepSeek iOS application as a primary factor for the decision.
These new measures expand upon existing restrictions that were previously implemented within the US Department of Commerce, as well as various defense, security, and intelligence agencies. The move reflects ongoing efforts by Washington to limit the influence of Chinese AI technologies within government infrastructure.
The policy follows similar international actions taken against the company. In February 2025, the Australian government implemented a comprehensive ban on the use of DeepSeek products across all official government systems and devices.
