Anthropic model takedown fuels warning of ‘ad hoc’ AI regulation

The Trump administration issued an export control directive forcing Anthropic to disable access to its newest AI models, Fable 5 and Mythos 5, just three days after their release. The company complied Friday after receiving the order, which required blocking foreign nationals from using the models. The decision followed Amazon CEO Andy Jassy’s concerns about potential 'jailbreaking' methods bypassing Fable’s safeguards, though Anthropic argued the risk was narrow and not grounds for a full takedown. Anthropic initially released Fable 5 publicly with safety guardrails, while Mythos 5 was restricted to cyber-defenders and infrastructure providers with fewer protections. The models are based on Mythos, which the company had earlier withheld from the public due to fears it could enhance hacking capabilities. Industry experts criticized the government’s abrupt action, warning it could hinder AI progress and set an unpredictable regulatory precedent. The directive came without prior warning, giving Anthropic only 90 minutes to comply, and lacked transparency about national security threats. AI policy advocates, including Dean Ball, a co-author of the White House AI Action Plan, condemned the move as an inconsistent 'licensing regime' that shifts unpredictably. They argued the administration’s approach undermines trust and could discourage innovation. Anthropic defended its models, stating that a universal jailbreak—where users broadly bypass safeguards—is impossible to prevent entirely. The company urged clearer, statutory regulations grounded in technical evidence rather than reactive executive actions. It also emphasized the need for a transparent, fair process if the government intends to block unsafe AI deployments. The incident highlights tensions between rapid AI development and regulatory oversight, with stakeholders calling for structured policies to avoid arbitrary interventions. The Commerce Department met with Anthropic staff Monday to discuss the directive, but industry concerns over its ad hoc nature persist.