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DeepSeek banned: US orders Chinese AI removed from all federal civilian systems
The US Department of Homeland Security has ordered federal civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek products, and third-party products built with DeepSeek, from their IT systems and stop buying them, under the Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act.
Key takeaways
- DHS ordered federal civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek products and stop buying them.
- The order also covers third-party products developed using DeepSeek implementations.
- It was published in the Federal Register on 20 October 2026 under the Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act.
- The order applies to federal civilian agencies, not to private companies or the public.
- China said it will safeguard Chinese companies' rights and opposes overstretching national security, per the AP.
The US government has ordered DeepSeek's AI products out of federal civilian agencies. A notice published in the Federal Register on 20 October 2026 announced a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) order to exclude and remove products from Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co., Ltd.
What does the order require? #
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Removal | DeepSeek and affiliated products, plus third-party products and services developed using DeepSeek implementations, must be removed from federal civilian agency IT |
| Purchasing | Agencies may no longer procure IT products and services developed by DeepSeek or its affiliates |
| Legal basis | Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act of 2018 |
| Contact | CISA's FASCSA Order Implementation Team |
The order applies to federal civilian agencies' purchases and IT systems. It is not a ban on private companies or the public. It was issued after a review of a recommendation from the Federal Acquisition Security Council, according to the notice.
Why was DeepSeek banned? #
The Federal Register notice does not set out the evidence. The Associated Press, reported by Fortune, said the notice describes DeepSeek's models as presenting "multiple threat vectors", with concerns including servers located in China and the possibility that Chinese authorities could access sensitive US data.
How has China responded? #
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China "will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies" and "consistently opposes the overstretching of the concept of national security," according to the AP. DeepSeek did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Does this affect companies outside the US government? #
Not directly. But because the order also covers third-party products "developed using DeepSeek implementations", software vendors selling to US federal civilian agencies may need to check whether their products use DeepSeek models.
What should organizations do? #
- Inventory where DeepSeek models or apps are used, including inside third-party tools and AI features.
- If you sell to US federal civilian agencies, check your products and contracts for DeepSeek components.
- Apply your own risk assessment to any AI model, wherever it is from: where data is processed, who can access it and what is logged.
Sources
- Federal Register notice of the DeepSeek exclusion and removal order, US Department of Homeland Security
- China responds to US DeepSeek ban, Fortune (Associated Press)
Questions this raises
- Can Americans still use DeepSeek?
- The order applies to federal civilian agencies' IT systems and purchases. It is not a ban on private companies or the public.
- Does it cover apps built on DeepSeek?
- Yes. It covers third-party products and services developed using DeepSeek implementations.
- Why was it banned?
- The Federal Register notice does not detail the evidence. The AP reported concerns including servers in China and possible Chinese government access to sensitive US data.
AI SecurityArtificial IntelligencegovernmentSupply Chain SecurityDeepSeekAI Policy