The US Department of Homeland Security has ordered federal civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek products from their IT systems and stop purchasing technology from the Chinese AI company.
The order also covers DeepSeek affiliates and third-party products and services developed using DeepSeek implementations, according to a notice published in the Federal Register.
DHS Raises Data and Security Concerns
DHS said DeepSeek could create several security risks for the US government, including the potential transfer of sensitive information involving government employees and contractors to China.
The government also raised concerns that DeepSeek models could contain malware or other security vulnerabilities.
Under the order, civilian agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and Federal Communications Commission would have to exclude covered DeepSeek products from their systems and remove existing deployments.
The order also prevents federal civilian agencies from procuring DeepSeek products and services. It was issued under the Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act of 2018 following a recommendation from the Federal Acquisition Security Council.
Third-Party DeepSeek Products Are Also Covered
The restriction goes beyond DeepSeek’s own apps and services.
DHS specifically ordered agencies to remove products from DeepSeek affiliates as well as third-party products and services developed using DeepSeek implementations.
That makes the restriction broader than simply banning the DeepSeek chatbot from government devices.
DeepSeek Faces Growing US Scrutiny
The order comes shortly after DeepSeek released V4.1-Flash-1017, which the company described as a smarter, faster and more efficient version of its Flash model.
It is not the first time DeepSeek has faced scrutiny from the US government.
Last year, two members of Congress proposed legislation that would ban the company’s AI chatbot from government devices.
The latest DHS action goes further by requiring the removal of DeepSeek technology across federal civilian IT systems and blocking future procurement of covered products.
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