---
title: "US Homeland Security orders DeepSeek products removed from federal civilian agency systems"
url: https://anawords.com/story/dhs-orders-deepseek-removed-federal-civilian-agency-systems
published: 2026-10-20T11:40:01+05:30
updated: 2026-10-20T11:42:40+05:30
section: Policy & Regulation
author: Mayank Sahu
checked: sources checked by AI, approved by editor
version: 2
---

# US Homeland Security orders DeepSeek products removed from federal civilian agency systems

The order, set out in a Federal Register notice, also bars agencies from buying DeepSeek products in future. DHS cites the risk of sensitive data reaching the Chinese government.

**In short:** The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has ordered federal civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek products from their IT systems and to exclude them from future purchases, according to a notice reported on 19 October 2026. DHS says the risks include the transfer of sensitive data to the Chinese government.

## What the order says

DHS issued an order excluding and removing products from Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence, the company behind the DeepSeek models, from federal civilian agency IT systems, CyberScoop and Engadget reported on 19 October.[^1][^2] Agencies must remove versions they already use and leave DeepSeek out of future procurements.[^1][^2]

The notice is Federal Register document 2026-21447, according to both outlets’ links.[^1][^2] The order applies to civilian agencies; Engadget gives the EPA and the FCC as examples.[^2]

## Why DHS says it acted

In a letter with the notice, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said DeepSeek’s models present “multiple threat vectors” to civilian agency systems, CyberScoop reported.[^1] DHS said the risks include the “transfer of sensitive data” of US government employees and vendors to the Chinese government, and that the models could “contain malware or other security vulnerabilities”.[^2]

CyberScoop says the order follows a review by the Federal Acquisition Security Council under the Federal Acquisition Supply Chain Act, and that the exclusion order is dated 26 June, so it may have applied for months before it was made public.[^1]

## Exceptions and next steps

Agencies can ask for an exception, but must apply 60 days in advance with a “compelling justification”, such as a mission-critical need, according to CyberScoop.[^1] Until removal is complete, agencies are encouraged to monitor network traffic and tighten logging.[^1]

## What is not known yet

Neither report includes a response from DeepSeek, and neither gives a deadline for completing removal.[^1][^2] We will add DeepSeek’s comment if it gives one. The order follows the release of DeepSeek’s V4.1 Flash 1017 model.[^2]

## Fact ledger

- [Reported] DHS ordered DeepSeek products removed from federal civilian agency IT systems and excluded from future purchases. (source 1,2)
- [Reported] The notice is Federal Register document 2026-21447. (source 1,2)
- [Reported] DHS cites the risk of sensitive data being transferred to the Chinese government. (source 1,2)
- [Unconfirmed] Secretary Markwayne Mullin signed a letter with the notice; the exclusion order is dated 26 June. (source 1)
- [Unconfirmed] Agencies must request exceptions 60 days in advance. (source 1)
- [Not known] DeepSeek’s response and the removal deadline.

## Sources

1. [CyberScoop: DHS to ban DeepSeek from federal civilian agencies](https://cyberscoop.com/dhs-bans-deepseek-federal-agencies/)
2. [Engadget: Homeland Security bans DeepSeek use in federal civilian agencies](https://www.engadget.com/2290535/homeland-security-bans-deepseek-use-in-federal-civilian-agencies/)