US Government Orders DeepSeek AI Removed from Federal Civilian Systems

What the US Government Ordered

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has ordered all federal civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek AI products from their information technology systems. The order also bans new purchases of any products or services from DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence developer, and its affiliates. This action extends to third-party products and services that use DeepSeek technology, though the order does not specify exactly what counts as a "DeepSeek implementation". Agencies are expected to check with suppliers to clarify if their products are affected [The Hacker News↗ (opens in a new tab)][Security Affairs↗ (opens in a new tab)].

Why Was DeepSeek Banned?

The official notice does not give detailed reasons for the ban. However, reporting on the order says DHS cited national security concerns. According to summaries, DHS warned that using DeepSeek’s AI models could risk transferring sensitive data to China and that the models might contain malware or other security weaknesses. The US government has not released technical details or public evidence to support these claims. China’s foreign ministry has publicly opposed the ban, calling it an overreach of national security concerns and promising to defend Chinese companies’ rights.

Who Is Affected?

The order applies only to US federal civilian agencies. It does not restrict private companies or the general public from using DeepSeek products. However, government contractors are also affected. If a federal contract includes the relevant clause (FAR 52.204-30), contractors cannot use or supply DeepSeek products or services unless they receive a waiver. Contractors must regularly check for new orders, review their supply chains, and report any affected products to their contracting officer within three business days if found.

What Agencies and Suppliers Must Do

Agencies must remove DeepSeek and related products from their systems. Suppliers must disclose if their products use DeepSeek models, where data is processed, and whether information leaves the customer’s environment. If an agency wants an exception, it must submit a written request with a strong justification. The order took effect when it was signed on July 24, 2026, but was only published in the Federal Register on October 20, 2026. This means agencies had to comply before the public could read the full explanation.

Previous Restrictions and Context

Before this order, some US government bodies had already banned DeepSeek on their devices, including Congress, NASA, the Navy, the Pentagon, and the state of Texas. Bills to make such bans nationwide were introduced but had not passed as of October 2026. The law used for this order, the Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Security Act of 2018, allows certain officials to exclude or remove technology products from government systems if they are seen as a risk. The law was first used in 2025 to ban a different company from intelligence community systems.

What Happens Next

The DHS must review the order at least once a year. Agencies and contractors will need to keep checking their systems and supply chains for DeepSeek technology. The public version of the order does not explain how agencies should identify all affected products, so suppliers and IT teams will need to ask questions and document their findings. There is no deadline for public release of such orders, but the law requires notifying the affected company and Congress.

Practical Advice for Readers

If you work in or with US federal agencies, check your systems and supply chain for DeepSeek products or technology. Ask suppliers about the AI models in their products. Contractors should follow the reporting and compliance steps in their contracts. For everyone else, the ban does not affect private use, but it highlights the growing scrutiny of foreign AI technology in sensitive environments.