The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Monday a rule, published Tuesday in the Federal Register, that bars federal civil agencies from using or procuring information-technology products and services developed by Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co. and its affiliates.
The prohibition also covers third-party products and services that incorporate DeepSeek technology. DHS said the action was taken under a 2018 law concerning the security of the federal procurement supply chain, following review of a Procurement Security Council recommendation and related evidence.
The rule applies to IT systems and procurements of federal civil agencies; it does not constitute a blanket ban on the use of DeepSeek products by U.S. companies or private individuals.
China’s response and international context
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday that Beijing will firmly defend the legitimate rights and interests of its companies. Mao emphasized that China consistently opposes the excessive expansion of national-security considerations and the politicization of scientific, technological and trade issues.
The U.S. measure follows similar caution elsewhere: South Korea restricted DeepSeek in February 2025. At that time, South Korea’s foreign, trade and defense ministries blocked access to the Chinese AI service on government computers amid concerns about data collection and potential information leakage.
Why this matters
The DHS action is part of broader efforts to tighten the security of government procurement and federal IT supply chains. By restricting products and technologies tied to Hangzhou DeepSeek from federal civil systems, the U.S. seeks to limit potential risks associated with third-party and foreign-developed AI components, while stopping short of prohibiting private-sector or consumer use nationwide.
Washington’s move and Seoul’s earlier restrictions indicate that some governments are applying heightened scrutiny to Chinese AI technologies for official use, even as Beijing protests such steps on political and commercial grounds.
Key facts:
- DHS published the measure on Monday; it appeared in the Federal Register on Tuesday.
- The ban targets products and services developed by Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Co. and its affiliates, and products that use DeepSeek technology.
- The decision was made under the 2018 federal supply-chain security law.
- The rule covers federal civil agency IT systems and procurements but is not a general U.S. ban on DeepSeek products.
- China has protested the action; South Korea restricted DeepSeek for government computers in February 2025.
