What happened
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has ordered civilian federal agencies to remove DeepSeek products from their IT systems and halt new purchases. The directive is based on a 2018 supply chain security law.
Broad scope
The order is not limited to DeepSeek's own products. Third-party tools built on DeepSeek models are also covered, meaning agencies must review software that indirectly relies on the company's technology.
Data-sharing risk cited
Officials point to the risk that sensitive data could be shared with the Chinese government. The move signals a deepening national-security-driven scrutiny of the AI supply chain in the US.
Why it matters
DeepSeek has gained rapid traction with low-cost, open-weight models. A removal order across federal agencies could curb its enterprise adoption in the US and set a precedent for similar actions by other governments.
