The Chinese AI model that once rattled Silicon Valley is now being pulled from US government computers. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is ordering the removal of DeepSeek products, and third-party services using the model, from civilian federal agency IT systems, according to a notice published on Monday, The Express Tribune reported.
The notice also bars civilian agencies from acquiring DeepSeek products or third-party services developed with it.
Washington's concerns
DHS said DeepSeek models pose "multiple threat vectors", warning that their use by government employees or vendors "may result in the transfer of sensitive data to the PRC" and "could produce actionable intelligence on US persons and/or government agencies." It added that the models themselves may contain malware or other security vulnerabilities.
A July DHS memo made public on Monday had told federal agencies to monitor traffic flowing in and out of government websites to address potential risks from DeepSeek. The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately comment, according to the paper.
A widening crackdown
Several US agencies, including the Department of Commerce and the Navy, had already banned DeepSeek on government devices, as had states including New York, Tennessee and Virginia.
The move is part of a broader push by the Trump administration against Chinese technology firms. The Federal Communications Commission will vote on October 29 on barring all Chinese labs from testing electronic devices such as smartphones, cameras and computers for the US market; last year 82% of US electronics were tested in China. In December, the FCC banned imports of new models of Chinese drones and consumer routers.
The contest between the two powers is no longer only about trade; it is increasingly about data and national security.