Anthropic to disable advanced AI models after US export control order
9 reported3 unconfirmed
Anthropic announced it will “abruptly disable” its most advanced AI models, Fable 5 and Mythos 5, for all users after the US government ordered it to suspend access for foreign nationals, citing national security concerns. The company received the export control directive without specific details of the concern, though it understands the government believes there is a method to bypass safeguards that could allow Fable 5 to be used in identifying software vulnerabilities. Anthropic said it disagrees with the finding of a “narrow potential jailbreak” as a reason for recalling a commercial model deployed to hundreds of millions of people. The order comes amid a previous dispute between Trump administration officials and IPO-bound Anthropic, which ruptured after the company refused to allow the US military to use its AI models for domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons systems. The Pentagon’s chief information officer, Kirsten Davies, said in a post on X that the defense department supported prioritizing national security. Anthropic said it believes there is a “misunderstanding” and is working to restore access to the models as soon as possible.
What’s reported
Anthropic received an export control directive to suspend access to Fable 5 and Mythos 5 for all foreign nationals.
The company was not given specific details of the national security concern.
Anthropic understands the government believes there is a method of bypassing a safeguard that would prevent Fable 5 from being used in identifying software vulnerabilities.
The government gave Anthropic only “verbal evidence of a potential narrow, non-universal jailbreak.”
Anthropic said it must abruptly disable Fable 5 and Mythos 5 for all customers to ensure compliance; access to other models will not be affected.
The order follows a dispute after Anthropic refused to allow the US military to use its AI models for domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons systems.
The government responded by putting Anthropic on a supply chain blacklist, set to take effect later in the year.
Anthropic confidentially filed for a US IPO last month.
A US official confirmed the commerce department issued the export control directive.
Open questions
What specific national security concern prompted the order.
Whether the alleged jailbreak method is confirmed or widespread.
When access to the models might be restored.
Key figures
Kirsten Davies, Pentagon chief information officer
Anthropic (company, unnamed representatives)
A US official (unnamed)
Sources: The Guardian
