The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has prohibited the use of DeepSeek products and services within federal civilian agencies. The directive mandates the removal of both direct offerings from the Chinese AI startup and any third-party tools developed using its AI models.
The ban, which officially took effect in July 2026, was publicly announced on October 19, 2026. Affected entities include the Treasury, State, and Justice Departments. Notably, the Department of Defense is excluded from these restrictions.
DHS justified the measure by citing risks related to sensitive data exposure, potential malware vulnerabilities, and security concerns stemming from Chinese national laws. Additionally, the US has accused DeepSeek of distilling American AI models.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry, represented by spokesperson Mao Ning, has formally objected to the decision. Beijing characterizes the move as an excessive application of national security justifications and an attempt to politicize technology and economic relations.
