The United States has barred Chinese artificial intelligence firm DeepSeek from federal civilian agency networks, citing espionage and cybersecurity risks amid intensifying technological rivalry with Beijing.
“DeepSeek's models present multiple threat vectors,” James Percival, general counsel of the US Department of Homeland Security, said in a directive on Monday.
Percival warned that the company's servers operate in China, where domestic legislation “permits extensive authority to government cyber and intelligence functions to access private company infrastructure”.
The directive said the platform's interactive structure could expose sensitive operational queries to foreign interception, warning that transferring information to China “could produce actionable intelligence on US persons and/or government programs”.
The department said independent assessments had also identified critical vulnerabilities in DeepSeek's mobile software and risks related to user fingerprinting.
Agencies ordered to remove software
The directive requires civilian executive branch agencies to immediately remove existing DeepSeek software, affiliated tools and third-party applications built on its framework. Federal authorities must also exclude the company from approved product lists.
Agencies can submit written requests for exemptions within 60 days through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency for functions deemed critical to their missions.
While the removal process is under way, agencies have been instructed to introduce interim cybersecurity measures, including enhanced network logging, strict controls on outbound data transfers and continuous monitoring for unusual network traffic.
Beijing rejects US measures
China pushed back against the restrictions on Tuesday, accusing Washington of politicising technology and economic issues.
“China has consistently opposed overstretching the concept of national security and politicising science, technology and economic and trade issues,” foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters in Beijing.
“China will firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies,” she added.
