The U.S. government has made it official: DeepSeek’s artificial intelligence technology is out of federal civilian agency computer systems.

A Department of Homeland Security order requiring agencies to remove DeepSeek products and stop buying them was made public on Monday, October 19, and published in the Federal Register on October 20. According to CNBC, the order was originally issued on July 24.

Here is what the order covers and why it matters for anyone watching the AI race between the U.S. and China.

What the order requires

According to CNBC’s reporting, the DHS order:

  • Requires federal civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek-related technology from their IT systems.
  • Bars those agencies from procuring DeepSeek products and services.
  • Extends to third-party products and services developed using DeepSeek’s technology.
  • Applies to civilian agencies such as the Treasury, State and Justice departments, but excludes the Department of Defense.

That third-party piece is notable. It means it is not enough for an agency to avoid DeepSeek’s own app. Tools from other vendors that are built on DeepSeek models are covered too.

Why DHS says it acted

The order states that DeepSeek’s AI models “present multiple threat vectors,” according to CNBC. DHS cited concerns that sensitive government data could be transferred to China and potentially provide intelligence on American citizens and government programs.

The agency also warned that the models could contain malware or other security vulnerabilities, pointing to open-source research that identified multiple critical vulnerabilities in DeepSeek’s iOS app.

Exceptions are possible

The ban is not absolute. Agencies can request exceptions, including delays in compliance, by submitting a written justification to DHS within 60 days of the order’s issuance, CNBC reports.

Not the first restriction

DeepSeek burst onto the scene at the start of 2025, and U.S. agencies have been tightening the rules ever since. According to CNBC:

  • The Defense Information Systems Agency moved to block access to DeepSeek models in January 2025, per Bloomberg reports.
  • In March 2025, Commerce Department bureaus told staff DeepSeek was banned on government devices, Reuters reported.
  • Congress restricted DeepSeek in intelligence community systems in December 2025.

The new order is broader, covering the civilian side of the federal government in one sweep.

China’s response

Asked about the move by Reuters, China’s foreign ministry said it would safeguard the rights and interests of its companies. Spokesperson Mao Ning said that “China consistently opposes the over-generalization of national security as well as the politicization of science, technology and trade issues,” CNBC reported.

What it means outside government

The order applies to federal civilian agencies, not to private companies or individual users. Still, government security decisions often influence how businesses think about risk.

If your organization uses AI tools, this is a good moment for a quick check:

  • Find out which AI models power the tools you use, including features built into other software.
  • Review what data those tools can see and where it is processed.
  • Follow your own IT and security team’s guidance on approved tools.
  • Keep apps updated, since security fixes matter for AI apps just as much as any other software.

The bigger picture

AI has become a key battleground between Washington and Beijing, and this order shows how security concerns are shaping which tools governments allow. Expect more scrutiny of where AI models come from and how they handle data, not just how smart they are.

The takeaway

DHS’s order formally closes federal civilian systems to DeepSeek, including tools built on its models, with a 60-day window for exceptions. For everyone else, it is a reminder that knowing what is inside your AI tools matters as much as what they can do.

Image: Free computer server room image via Rawpixel, CC0 1.0