via The Verge AI
Anthropic Cuts Off Fable 5 and Mythos 5 Access Following Government Order
AI company Anthropic has suspended access to its Fable 5 and Mythos 5 language models, complying with an export control directive issued by the U.S. government. The order, which cites national security concerns, requires the company to block access for all foreign nationals, effectively cutting off non-U.S. users from these two advanced AI systems.
The measure, announced in early 2026, reflects a tightening of AI regulatory policy amid growing global scrutiny of powerful foundational models. Industry experts note that such export controls are increasingly common as governments seek to limit the spread of dual-use technologies that could be repurposed for surveillance, disinformation, or cyber operations.
Anthropic has not publicly detailed which specific provisions of the order triggered the block, nor has it commented on whether other models will be affected. However, the company confirmed that all current users of Fable 5 and Mythos 5 outside the United States have lost access, and no new foreign-national registrations are being accepted for these models.
The move has sparked debate within the AI community about the balance between national security and open access to cutting-edge tools. Some argue that restricting advanced models can hinder global innovation and collaboration, while others maintain that tight controls are necessary to prevent misuse. As the 2026 policy landscape evolves, similar actions by other AI labs may follow.