U.S. Bans DeepSeek Technology From Federal Civilian Agency Networks

WASHINGTON, Oct 20 (OPA) — The Department of Homeland Security issued a formal directive banning the use of DeepSeek-related technology across all federal civilian agency IT systems. The order mandates that agencies identify and remove any software or services linked to the Chinese AI firm, citing concerns over data security and potential foreign intelligence risks.

Federal officials have not disclosed specific vulnerabilities identified in the software, but the move aligns with broader U.S. policy aimed at curbing the influence of Chinese technology companies. The ban applies to all civilian departments, requiring immediate compliance to secure government networks against unauthorized data access or system interference.

DeepSeek, a prominent Chinese AI research lab, has gained international attention for its large language models and rapid development cycles. The U.S. government has increasingly scrutinized Chinese-backed AI platforms, fearing that such tools could be leveraged for espionage or the compromise of sensitive federal information.

This policy shift reflects growing friction between Washington and Beijing regarding the development and deployment of advanced artificial intelligence. As the U.S. continues to tighten export controls and internal security protocols, federal agencies are expected to face further restrictions on the use of foreign-developed software in critical infrastructure.