The decision comes a few days after the release of the company’s latest AI model.
The Department of Homeland Security has issued a sweeping restriction to remove DeepSeek use across all federal civilian agencies and their IT systems. In a memo published with the Federal Register, DHS characterized the risks of DeepSeek’s use as potentially resulting in the “transfer of sensitive data” from US government officials and vendors to the Chinese government.
According to the order, civilian agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency or the Federal Communications Commission would have to block all DeepSeek products from use, while also removing any existing related products. DHS said in the memo that the DeepSeek models “contain malware or other security vulnerabilities.” The notice also prohibits DeepSeek from participating in any federal government contracts.
DHS’ order comes on the heels of DeepSeek releasing its latest model, V4.1-Flash-1017, which the company called “smarter, faster, more efficient”. However, it is not the first time that the Chinese AI company has run into friction with the US government, especially at a time when their cheaper AI models are starting to rival ChatGPT or Gemini. Last year, two US congressmen proposed a bill that would ban DeepSeek’s AI chatbot from government devices.