US orders civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek tools from devices
The US government has ordered agencies to stop using DeepSeek AI tools, citing the risk that sensitive information could be transferred to China. The move reflects growing security concerns as the US and China compete for influence in artificial intelligence.
A Department of Homeland Security notice says DeepSeek products and third-party tools built with its technology must be removed from government IT devices. It warns that the company’s China-based servers could be subject to government access under Chinese law; the notice applies to civilian agencies, while DHS cannot direct the military or intelligence services. DeepSeek rose to prominence with a low-cost, high-performance chatbot in January 2025 and released its V4 model in April.
- US agencies must remove DeepSeek AI tools from their devices.
- Officials warn sensitive data could be exposed to China.
- The ban comes amid intensifying US-China AI competition.
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DeepSeek is a Chinese artificial intelligence company whose chatbot attracted attention for delivering strong results at relatively low cost. Its tools can answer questions and help with tasks such as writing and summarising.
The US and China are competing to develop influential AI technology, and governments are weighing how to use these tools while protecting sensitive information. Data handled by an online service may be stored on its servers, where local laws can affect who may access it.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A ban can be justified as a precaution to protect sensitive government information: if DeepSeek tools send data to servers in China, Chinese authorities may be able to access it under local law. Restricting their use on government devices reduces that exposure while officials assess the risks, and reflects the state’s duty to safeguard public systems amid strategic competition.
The case against
A blanket removal may go further than the evidence warrants if the specific risk to government data has not been demonstrated or could be managed through technical controls. Excluding a capable, low-cost tool could limit agencies’ options and entrench reliance on other providers, while a decision framed around national competition risks making security policy less consistent and transparent.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “US bans use of China’s DeepSeek AI tools by government agencies”.