# US bans DeepSeek from federal agencies

> The Department of Homeland Security orders all federal civilian agencies to remove Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from their systems over national security concerns.
- Title: US bans DeepSeek from federal agencies · TechCrunch | Shortify
- Summary: The Department of Homeland Security orders all federal civilian agencies to remove Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from their systems over national security…
- Keywords: deepseek, us government, department of homeland security, china, ai security, federal agencies, national security, ai competition, technology, startups, bans, federal
- Source: TechCrunch — https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/20/us-orders-federal-agencies-to-remove-chinas-deepseek-ai-from-their-systems
- Author: Kate Park
- Published: 2026-10-20T13:07:24+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: deepseek, us government, department of homeland security, china, ai security, federal agencies, national security, ai competition, technology, startups
## DHS orders removal of DeepSeek
The Department of Homeland Security has ordered all federal civilian agencies to stop purchasing and remove DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, from government IT systems over national security concerns.
## Ban covers third-party products too
The order extends beyond DeepSeek's own products to include third-party products and services built using DeepSeek technology, though agencies can request exceptions.
## Data security is the concern
The DHS raised concerns about DeepSeek's handling of user data, warning that sensitive information from US government users could potentially be accessible to Chinese authorities under Chinese law.
## China rejects the ban
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing opposes overstretching the concept of national security and politicizing technology and trade issues, and will resolutely safeguard Chinese enterprises' rights.

> We will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.
## Earlier restrictions and distillation claims
A law passed in December twenty twenty-five already targeted DeepSeek's use in intelligence and national security systems.
## OpenAI and Anthropic raise concerns
OpenAI told US lawmakers it had observed suspected attempts by DeepSeek to distill its models. Anthropic said it had identified unauthorized attempts by DeepSeek and other Chinese AI labs to collect outputs from Claude.
## Key takeaway

The US has ordered federal civilian agencies to stop using and remove DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, from government systems due to concerns that sensitive data could be accessed by Chinese authorities.