U.S. bans DeepSeek from government agency systems amid AI rift with China

HANGZHOU, CHINA - APRIL 23: A view of DeepSeek logo at a mall on April 23, 2026 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province of China. DeepSeek launched a preview of its V4 model, expanding its open-source AI lineup on April 24. (Photo by Long Wei/VCG via Getty Images)Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty ImagesThe Trump administration banned Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from civilian U.S. government agencies, citing security concerns.The Department of Homeland Security on Monday made public the order requiring federal civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek-related technology from their IT systems and barring them from procuring DeepSeek products and services. The ban applies to federal civilian agency IT systems, including third-party products and services developed using the company's technology.The move comes amid intensifying geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing, with artificial intelligence emerging as a key battleground in the two countries' race for technological dominance. The order, originally issued on July 24, applies to federal civilian agencies, including the Treasury, State and Justice departments, but it excludes the Department of Defense. Since DeepSeek burst onto the sce...