The United States government has ordered AI company Anthropic to block access to its most advanced AI models, Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5, for all foreign nationals, including Indians. The sudden move has sparked global debate, as it marks the first time a government has directly restricted access to powerful AI software, not just hardware.
What exactly has the US government ordered?
Anthropic said it received an export-control directive on June 12 from US authorities. The order requires the company to suspend access to Fable 5 and Mythos 5 for anyone who is not a US citizen. This applies globally, even to foreign employees working within the company.
As a result, the company has disabled both models worldwide. However, access to its other AI tools remains unchanged. Anthropic says it had no option but to comply with the directive while it continues discussions with the government.
Why has the US taken this step?
The US government is concerned that these advanced AI systems could be misused for cyberattacks. Officials believe there may be ways to bypass safety protections in Fable 5 and access sensitive capabilities within the Mythos model.
Reports suggest that researchers linked to Amazon were able to prompt the AI to reveal limited information about software vulnerabilities. This raised fears that such tools could be used to target banks, government systems, and critical infrastructure.
Anthropic, however, disagrees with the scale of the concern. The company says the issue was limited, involved already known vulnerabilities, and does not justify a global ban. It also argues that similar capabilities exist in other publicly available AI systems.
Is this a turning point in AI regulation?
Yes, many experts believe this could be a major shift. Until now, US restrictions mainly focused on controlling AI chips and semiconductor exports. But this move shows that software itself is now being treated as a national security asset.
This means governments may begin deciding who can and cannot use advanced AI tools, much like how sensitive technologies are controlled.
What does this mean for India and the world?
The decision has raised concerns in countries like India that rely heavily on foreign technology. Experts say India may now need to invest more in building its own AI systems and reduce dependence on foreign companies.
First published on: Jun 13, 2026 02:47 PM IST
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