Safety & policy

US orders federal agencies to drop DeepSeek AI tools

On 19 October, the US Department of Homeland Security ordered federal civilian agencies to stop buying DeepSeek products and remove them from government IT systems. The order also covers third-party tools built on DeepSeek technology, though agencies can request exceptions. DHS warns that sensitive data from US government users could be accessible to Chinese authorities under Chinese law. China's Foreign Ministry opposes overstretching national security concerns and says it will defend Chinese firms' interests.

Why it matters: If you sell to US government agencies, check whether your AI tools or suppliers use DeepSeek, since the order covers products built on it and bars DeepSeek from federal contracts. It applies to US civilian agencies, not Australian buyers.

Source: TechCrunch · Also reported by Engadget, The Guardian, BBC Technology