# U.S. bans DeepSeek from federal systems; China pushes back

> The Department of Homeland Security has ordered federal civilian agencies to remove the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from their IT systems, citing security concerns. China's government responded by defending its companies' rights.
- Title: U.S. bans DeepSeek from federal systems; China pushes back
- Summary: The Department of Homeland Security has ordered federal civilian agencies to remove the Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from their IT systems, citing security…
- Keywords: deepseek, department of homeland security, china, artificial intelligence, federal government, technology ban, u.s.-china relations, ai security, national security, bans, federal, systems
- Source: Fastcompany — https://fastcompany.com/91626740/u-s-bans-ai-startup-deepseek-government-systems-china-responds
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: deepseek, department of homeland security, china, artificial intelligence, federal government, technology ban, u.s.-china relations, ai security, national security
## U.S. bans DeepSeek from federal systems
The Department of Homeland Security ordered federal civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek and affiliated products from their IT systems. The order also blocks agencies from buying DeepSeek products and services.
## When the ban took effect
The Department of Homeland Security order dated back to late July, but the notice became public on Monday. The ban applies to federal civilian agencies across the U.S. government.
## What DeepSeek is
DeepSeek is one of China's leading and best-known AI companies. Its open-source models are widely available in countries including the United States and are mostly free to use.
## The security concerns cited
The Federal Register notice alleged that DeepSeek's models present multiple threat vectors. Concerns include that servers are located in China and Chinese authorities could potentially access private company infrastructure and sensitive U.S. data.

> present multiple threat vectors
## China's response
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies. She spoke at a regular press conference in Beijing on Tuesday.
## China's broader objection
Mao Ning told reporters that China consistently opposes the overstretching of the concept of national security and the politicizing of science, technology, economic and trade issues.

> China consistently opposes the overstretching of the concept of national security and the politicizing of science, technology, economic and trade issues
## DeepSeek's response
DeepSeek did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the U.S. ban on its products from federal civilian agencies.
## Trump and Xi to meet in November
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet in mid-November on the sidelines of the APEC, or Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, leaders' summit in Shenzhen, China.
## AI expected on the agenda
AI is expected to be on the agenda when Trump and Xi meet in mid-November. The two countries have recently made progress in some collaboration on AI governance.
## A U.S. proposal for AI incidents
The U.S. has proposed setting up a notification system on national security-related incidents as part of AI governance collaboration. However, the two countries remain at odds on many issues.
## Broader U.S. restrictions on China
U.S.-led restrictions still ban China from accessing some of the world's most advanced AI chips and the machines that make them.
## Distillation allegations
The U.S. has said Chinese AI startups including DeepSeek engaged in large-scale distillation, or extraction of capabilities, from frontier American AI models. Beijing has dismissed these claims.
## Earlier robot import restrictions
Earlier this year, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission announced it was barring imports of new foreign-made humanoid robots in a move seen as targeting China.
## Key takeaway

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security banned Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from federal civilian agencies over security concerns, prompting China to defend its companies' rights in the escalating technology competition between the two powers.