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🇫🇷 France /Technology

US Lifts Restrictions on Anthropic's Powerful AI Models

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • The U.S. government has lifted export controls on Anthropic's two most powerful AI models, Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5.
  • These restrictions, imposed on June 12 due to national security concerns and potential misuse for cyberattacks, had forced Anthropic to cut access.
  • The decision allows Anthropic to restore access to its models, though it remains unclear if foreign partners will regain access.

The U.S. government has reversed its decision to restrict access to Anthropic's most advanced AI models, Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5. The Commerce Department announced on Tuesday that it has lifted the export controls, which were initially imposed on June 12 citing national security concerns and the potential for the models to be diverted for cyberattacks. Anthropic confirmed it would begin restoring access on Wednesday.

We have received notification that the Department of Commerce has lifted export controls on Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5.

— AnthropicAnnouncing the lifting of U.S. restrictions on its AI models.

This move marks a significant shift after a brief but impactful period where Washington had compelled the artificial intelligence firm to disable access to its cutting-edge technology. This forced withdrawal was unprecedented and sparked widespread criticism, reigniting debates about digital sovereignty and the reliance of other nations on American technology. The restrictions had particularly affected foreign cybersecurity agencies in Europe and Asia, who were denied access to Mythos 5 even after its access was partially restored for a select group of American "cyber defenders and infrastructure operators."

Following intense negotiations in Washington, access to Mythos 5 was reinstated for a limited number of U.S. entities last Friday. However, the status of foreign partners remains uncertain, as Anthropic has not specified whether the lifting of export controls will include them. The decision on Tuesday primarily facilitates the return of Fable 5, a public-facing version of Mythos that had been modified to mitigate cybersecurity risks and potential biological or chemical attacks.

We will begin restoring access tomorrow.

— AnthropicStating the timeline for re-enabling access to its AI models.

This development comes as Anthropic's rival, OpenAI, also released its most powerful model, GPT-5.6, with unprecedented government oversight on partner approvals. The Trump administration, previously resistant to AI regulation, has adopted a more interventionist stance, reflecting concerns about the potent capabilities of advanced AI models. CIA Director John Ratcliffe recently likened these advanced AI models to "digital nuclear weapons," underscoring the gravity of the technology's potential impact.

Digital nuclear weapons

— John RatcliffeCIA Director, comparing the capabilities of advanced AI models.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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