U.S. orders removal of China's DeepSeek products from federal civilian agencies

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has directed federal civilian agencies to remove products developed by Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from their IT systems, according to a federal notice. This order, set to be published in the Federal Register, prohibits these agencies from procuring such products in the future. The restrictions apply to products and services developed by DeepSeek and its affiliated entities, as well as third-party offerings utilizing DeepSeek technologies.

The DHS's decision was made under the Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act of 2018, following a review of recommendations by the Federal Acquisition Security Council and supporting evidence. The order specifically targets federal civilian agency IT systems and procurements, contrasting with a broader ban that would affect private businesses or individuals in the U.S. In February 2025, South Korea joined the restrictions, blocking access to DeepSeek on government computers due to concerns over data collection and potential information leaks.