The Trump administration has banned Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from US civilian government agencies, citing security concerns.
The Department of Homeland Security released the order Monday requiring federal civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek-related technology from their computer systems and prohibiting them from acquiring DeepSeek products and services. The ban applies to federal civilian agency computer systems, including third-party products and services developed using the company’s technology.
The move comes amid intensifying geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing, with artificial intelligence emerging as a key battleground in the two countries’ race for technological dominance.
Asked by Reuters about the U.S. decision, China’s Foreign Ministry told the news agency it would protect the rights and interests of its companies.
Mao Ning, a ministry spokesperson, said that “China consistently opposes the over-generalization of national security as well as the politicization of scientific, technological and trade issues,” the agency reported.
The order, initially issued July 24, applies to federal civilian agencies, including the Departments of Treasury, State and Justice, but excludes the Department of Defense.
Since DeepSeek emerged in early 2025, several US government agencies have imposed various restrictions.
Congress restricted DeepSeek’s use in intelligence community systems in December 2025. Earlier that year, in March, U.S. Commerce Department offices told staff that DeepSeek was banned on government devices, Reuters reported at the time. The Defense Information Systems Agency has decided to block access to DeepSeek models in January 2025, according to Bloomberg reports.
DeepSeek’s AI models “present multiple threat vectors,” the latest DHS order states, citing concerns about potential access to sensitive data by Chinese authorities and potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
The agency also warned that the use of DeepSeek’s AI models could result in the transfer of sensitive U.S. government data to China, potentially providing intelligence on U.S. citizens and government programs.
The models may also contain malware or other security vulnerabilities, the agency said, citing open source research that identified several critical vulnerabilities in DeepSeek’s iOS app.
Executive agencies may request exceptions to the order, including compliance delays, by submitting a written justification to DHS within 60 days of issuance of the order.
DeepSeek and the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.
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