Investing.com-- The U.S. Commerce Department has prohibited access to the Chinese artificial intelligence model DeepSeek on government-issued devices, Reuters reported on Monday citing an internal message and sources familiar with the matter.
The Commerce Department informed staff that access was broadly restricted as part of efforts to protect its information systems, a department-wide email stated, according to Reuters.
Staffers were instructed not to download, view, or access any applications or websites related to DeepSeek on their government-furnished equipment, Reuters reported.
The extent of the ban across federal agencies remains unclear, the report stated.
However, the move follows growing concerns from U.S. lawmakers and officials over national security risks posed by DeepSeek, particularly regarding data privacy and sensitive government information, Reuters reported.
Several states, including Virginia, Texas, and New York, have already restricted the use of DeepSeek, while a coalition of 21 state attorneys general has pushed for a nationwide ban, the report added.