The U.S. government has ordered federal agencies to remove Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek’s applications from their computer systems, citing national security concerns over sensitive information potentially reaching Beijing.
The restrictions also prohibit federal agencies from using DeepSeek applications in government work or contracts, including certain software developed by other companies using DeepSeek’s technology.
The orders were issued on Oct. 16 by the secretaries of homeland security and war and the director of national intelligence.
“These FASCSA orders prohibit the installation, accessing, or running of a Deepseek application by Executive agencies, and further require agencies to identify and remove any existing installations,” a CISA spokesperson said in a statement to The Epoch Times Oct. 19.
The restrictions were issued under a 2018 federal law that allows the government to block technology suppliers considered security risks.
The federal contracting database SAM.gov lists DeepSeek under an active exclusion that took effect Oct. 16 and has no scheduled expiration.
An earlier Homeland Security order, signed July 24 and made public on Oct. 19, details the risks behind the restrictions and requires federal civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek-related technology.
Risks of Sensitive Information Reaching China
DeepSeek, based in Hangzhou, China, drew worldwide attention in early 2025 after releasing AI models that competed with leading American products.
Its chatbot allows users to submit questions, documents, and other information to generate answers. For government employees, such information could include sensitive details about their work.
In its July order, Homeland Security warned that DeepSeek’s servers are located in China, where regime authorities have broad powers to access private companies’ information.
The department said material submitted by U.S. government employees or contractors could be transferred to China and used to gather intelligence about American personnel and federal operations.
Homeland Security also cited concerns about DeepSeek’s collection of personal information, its ability to track users, and potential cybersecurity weaknesses.
In February 2025, U.S. cybersecurity firm NowSecure identified several security flaws in DeepSeek’s iPhone app. The researchers said they found that certain information was transmitted without encryption, sensitive data was stored insecurely, and the app collected information that could be used to track users.
The researchers also identified connections to computer infrastructure operated by ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok.
Separately, an April 2025 investigation by the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party accused DeepSeek of sending American user data to China and shaping some AI responses to comply with Beijing’s censorship requirements.
Restrictions Extend to Other Software and Contractors
The federal restrictions reach beyond DeepSeek’s own chatbot and mobile applications.
Other companies can build DeepSeek’s AI models into their software, allowing users to access the technology through products that do not carry the DeepSeek name.
The July Homeland Security order requires civilian agencies to remove third-party products and services developed using DeepSeek technology, as well as products made directly by DeepSeek and its affiliates.
The restrictions also affect government contractors. In its response to The Epoch Times, CISA said federal agencies cannot purchase DeepSeek applications or award contracts involving their use.
“Agencies may not procure Deepseek applications or award contracts whose performance may involve them,” the CISA spokesperson said.
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