US Government Restricts Access to Anthropic AI Models for Foreign Nationals

The US government instructed Anthropic to ban access to Fable 5 and Mythos 5 for foreign nationals last week. The Trump administration then cited national security concerns behind the decision to restrict AI models. Now, Bloomberg has obtained the letter sent by US Secretary of Commerce Howard W. Lutnick, directing the Claude-maker to restrict access to its AI models. Addressed to Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, the letter stated that “there is an unacceptable risk of use in, or diversion to, a 'military-intelligence end use' or a 'military-intelligence end user',” associated with Claude Mythos 5 Model and Claude Fable 5 Model. It further directed the company to obtain license for “deemed exports and deemed reexports” of Anthropic's Claude Mythos 5 Model and Claude Fable 5 Model to all destinations worldwide and to all "foreign persons". “Failure to comply will result in prompt criminal and civil penalties, as provided for by law”, the letter stated.

Read the letter sent by US government to Anthropic on Fable and Mythos 5 ban

Dear Mr. Amodei:The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), U.S. Department of Commerce, is charged with administering and enforcing the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA) (50 U.S.C. 4801-4852). Specifically, 1758(b)(1) of ECRA (50 U.S.C. 4817(b)(1)) authorizes BIS to establish interim controls on emerging and foundational technologies that are essential to the national security of the United States and are not critical technologies described in clauses (i) through (v) of 50 U.S.C. 4565(a)(6)(A). In addition, 50 U.S.C. 4813(a)(15) authorizes BIS to establish and maintain a process to inform persons by specific notice that a license from BIS is required to export, and 744.22(b) of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 C.F.R. parts 730-774) specifically authorizes BIS to require a license for the export, reexport, or transfer (in-country) of any item subject to the EAR because there is an unacceptable risk of use in, or diversion to, a 'military-intelligence end use' or a 'military-intelligence end user' as specified in 744.22(a) and (f) of the EAR. Consistent with these authorities, I am informing you that a license is required for the export, reexport, or transfer (in-country), including deemed exports and deemed reexports, of Anthropic's Claude Mythos 5 Model and Claude Fable 5 Model to all destinations worldwide and to all "foreign persons," as defined in 772.1 of the EAR, wherever located. To be clear, this license requirement applies, inter alia, to the transmission or release of the Mythos and Fable models in any of the following ways: The sending or taking of the model out of the United States in any manner (see 734.13(a)(1) of the EAR). The sending or taking of the model from one foreign country to another in any manner (see 734.14(a)(1) of the EAR). Retransferring the model within a single foreign country (see 734.16 of the EAR). The release of the model to a "foreign person" in the United States or a foreign country (see 734.13(a)(2) and 734.14(a)(2) of the EAR). Accordingly, until further notice, you must submit an application for an individually-validated license prior to the export, reexport, or transfer (in-country), including deemed export or deemed reexport, of the Mythos or Fable models to any destination worldwide or to any "foreign person" wherever located. Failure to comply will result in prompt criminal and civil penalties, as provided for by law. When submitting a license application through the Simplified Network Application Process Redesign (SNAP-R) (https://snapr.bis.gov), you must indicate in the "Additional Information" box that the application is submitted based on this "Is Informed" Letter and attach a copy of the letter with your license application. The license requirements set forth in this letter remain in effect until superseded by a subsequent letter from BIS informing you of a revision to or recission [sic] of this letter. If you have any questions about this letter, please contact me or the Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security, Jeffrey Kessler [at (202) phone number, which is partially covered by Lutnick's signature]Sincerely, Howard W. Lutnick Secretary of Commerce