US Commerce Department Restricts Access to Anthropic’s Advanced AI Models

An order from the U.S. Commerce Department on June 12, 2026, mandated Anthropic to block foreign nationals from accessing its most advanced AI models. This decision resulted in the immediate shutdown of the Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models.

These sophisticated large language models, developed by the artificial intelligence company Anthropic, were taken offline within hours of the order. The shutdown means they are no longer available to any users, not just those outside the United States.

The move is interpreted by some as a possible effort by the government to restrict access to cutting-edge AI technology, potentially to retain its benefits for national use only. However, the specific motivations behind the order remain unclear.

The affected models were known for their advanced capabilities in language understanding and generation. Their removal from public access raises questions about the balance between innovation, accessibility, and governmental control in the field of artificial intelligence.