China condemns US ban on DeepSeek AI from federal systems

The US Department of Homeland Security issued a notice requiring federal civilian agencies to purge DeepSeek and related products from their IT systems, citing security concerns. The directive, which dates to late July, also prohibits procurement of DeepSeek offerings across government departments.

The Federal Register filing alleged that DeepSeek's AI models "present multiple threat vectors," citing the location of the company's servers in China and potential access by Chinese authorities to private infrastructure. Officials expressed additional concerns about the risk of intellectual property theft and surveillance capabilities.

China's response on Tuesday reflected deepening tensions over artificial intelligence between the world's two largest economies. Beijing characterised the action as protectionist and inconsistent with open international technology standards. DeepSeek, one of China's most prominent AI firms, has gained significant global attention for its open-source models, which are freely available to users worldwide, including in the United States.

The move underscores escalating US scrutiny of Chinese technology companies amid broader geopolitical competition. Washington has previously restricted access to other Chinese tech platforms on national security grounds. The DeepSeek ban affects a growing segment of the AI sector, as the company's models have become increasingly integrated into various commercial applications and research initiatives globally.

DeepSeek did not immediately issue a formal response to the US action. The company has previously maintained that its operations comply with applicable regulations in jurisdictions where it operates.