The order also covers third-party tools created with DeepSeek
The Department of Homeland Security warned that use of DeepSeek AI tools “may result in the transfer of sensitive data to (China) if used by US government employees or vendors.” The warning accompanied Monday’s DHS notice, which covered products developed by Chinese startup DeepSeek and tools created using DeepSeek by third parties.
The U.S. government’s Monday order stopped civilian agencies from using those products and tools. The DHS notice said they must be removed from government IT devices. DHS can issue direction to civilian agencies, but not to the military or intelligence services.
The US Defense Department did not respond to an AFP request for comment, The Guardian reported. DeepSeek was contacted for comment.
A document attached to Monday’s notice said, “DeepSeek’s models present multiple threat vectors.” DHS also said DeepSeek’s servers are located in China, where the legal system permits the government “extensive authority” to access private company infrastructure.
The Guardian described DeepSeek as one of China’s top AI labs and said the firm shook up the industry in January 2025 with a low-cost, high-performance chatbot that challenged assumptions of U.S. dominance.
DeepSeek released its V4 model in April and earlier in October updated a faster, more lightweight version of V4.
The United States has accused DeepSeek and other top Chinese AI firms of systematically stealing capabilities from cutting-edge models developed by American rivals.
The order came as the United States and China raced for dominance in the fast-moving AI sector. Despite fierce competition, Xi Jinping and Donald Trump met at the White House in September, when the countries agreed to set up a “communication channel” for AI incidents, The Guardian reported.
The Guardian said the AI topic was expected to arise again at a meeting between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump at a summit scheduled for November in the Chinese city of Shenzhen.