The Department of Homeland Security has told federal civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek and tools built on it, citing national security and sensitive data risks.
Tamrah News Desk | October 20, 2026
The US Department of Homeland Security has announced a DeepSeek ban that requires federal civilian agencies to remove the Chinese AI model and third party services built on it from their IT systems, according to a notice Reuters reported on Monday. The order also stops agencies from buying new DeepSeek products. DHS says the step addresses national security and sensitive data risks.
IBTimes reported that the notice was filed for public inspection on Monday, October 19, and is scheduled for formal publication in the Federal Register on Tuesday, October 20. The underlying order was signed by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin on July 24, according to the South China Morning Post.
What the DeepSeek Ban Requires From Federal Civilian Agencies
BankInfoSecurity reported that the order shuts the Chinese developer out of civilian agency contracts and directs agencies to pull its products off their systems. The removal duty covers the company’s own offerings and third party products “developed using DeepSeek implementations,” the outlet said. Until the software is gone, the order urges agencies to watch network traffic for signs of data leaving their environments and to tighten logging.
Why the Department of Homeland Security Cited National Security Risks
Reuters reported that DHS said DeepSeek models pose “multiple threat vectors” and that use by government employees or vendors may send sensitive data to China. DHS also said the models could contain malware or other security weaknesses, and that their use could yield usable intelligence on US persons and government agencies.
Gizmodo reported that Mullin’s accompanying note says DeepSeek’s account setup collects personal information and may “digitally fingerprint users.” The national security case therefore rests on both data transfer and the design of the software itself.
Does the DeepSeek Ban Cover Third Party Tools?
Yes. IBTimes reported that the order covers DeepSeek, its affiliates and third party products and services developed using DeepSeek implementations. Security Magazine quoted Gabrielle Hempel of Exabeam, who said the wide wording raises questions about software provenance and supply chain compliance.
Exceptions, Deadlines and What Happens Next
BankInfoSecurity reported that agencies have 60 days from the order’s issuance to request exceptions, which the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency will approve or deny in writing. The outlet added that, under the 2018 supply chain law, a targeted company has 60 days after receiving notice to challenge the order. IBTimes said the Homeland Security Secretary must review the order within one year and every year after that.
Earlier Restrictions on the Chinese AI Model
According to the South China Morning Post, the Commerce Department and the Navy had already restricted DeepSeek on government devices, and lawmakers introduced the bipartisan No Adversarial AI Act in June 2025. A House Select Committee on China report in April 2025 called DeepSeek a “profound threat to our nation’s security.”
MarketScreener reported that Australia banned DeepSeek from government systems and that Italy’s data protection authority issued a nationwide ban in early 2025. The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately comment, Reuters reported.
For more on how governments are shaping artificial intelligence, read the Tamrah News guide to Dubai’s AI Agent competition and browse more Tamrah News technology coverage.
FAQs
What is the DeepSeek ban in the US?
The DeepSeek ban is a Department of Homeland Security order telling federal civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek products and third party tools built on the Chinese AI model from their IT systems. It also blocks new purchases.
Why did the Department of Homeland Security issue the DeepSeek ban?
DHS cited national security, the risk that sensitive data could be sent to China, and possible malware or other weaknesses in the models.
Which federal agencies must follow the DHS DeepSeek order?
The order applies to federal civilian agencies. The Commerce Department and the Navy had already restricted DeepSeek on their own devices.
Does the DeepSeek ban include third party tools and services?
Yes. Third party products developed using DeepSeek technology are covered, which makes supply chain checks important for vendors that sell to federal civilian agencies.
Can federal agencies request an exception to the DeepSeek ban?
Yes. Agencies have 60 days from issuance to request exceptions, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency decides each request in writing.
Is DeepSeek banned in other countries?
Australia banned DeepSeek from government systems, and Italy’s data protection authority issued a nationwide ban in early 2025.
Is the DeepSeek ban a law passed by Congress?
No. It is an order under a 2018 supply chain law. A separate bipartisan bill, the No Adversarial AI Act, was introduced in June 2025.
