US Bans Chinese AI Model DeepSeek from Government IT Systems

The US Department of Homeland Security has issued an order to remove the Chinese-made artificial intelligence model, DeepSeek, and its related products from government agency computer systems. The move is aimed at preventing potential security risks, including data leaks and malware infections. According to a notice published on October 19th, civilian agencies are required to eliminate all instances of DeepSeek from their IT infrastructure by removing the software and any associated services.

The ban also prohibits federal agencies from acquiring new products or services that utilize the DeepSeek model. The Department of Homeland Security has expressed concerns about the potential for sensitive data to be transferred to the People’s Republic of China if government employees or vendors use the product. Additionally, the agency warns that using DeepSeek could result in the creation of actionable intelligence on US individuals and organizations.

The decision to ban DeepSeek follows a series of similar moves by various US agencies and states. In July, a memo was issued advising federal agencies to monitor traffic flows into and out of government websites as a precautionary measure against potential risks associated with DeepSeek. Several other agencies, including the Department of Commerce and the Navy, have already banned the use of DeepSeek on government devices.

The Trump administration has been taking steps to restrict Chinese tech companies in recent years. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is set to vote on October 29th to bar all Chinese laboratories from testing electronic devices for use in the US market. This move comes as part of a broader effort to address national security concerns related to Chinese technology.