Anthropic’s new privacy policy offers US consumers a way around the Fable ban
Anthropic updated its privacy policy to allow US consumer users to verify identity via government ID, potentially bypassing the US export ban on its Fable and Mythos AI models. The policy change could enable Anthropic to distinguish US citizens from foreign nationals, though enterprise users remain affected by the restrictions.
The US government ordered Anthropic to suspend access to its newest AI models, Fable and Mythos, for all foreign users on national security grounds. The company initially stated it could not differentiate between US and foreign users, forcing a blanket restriction. Anthropic’s new privacy policy, effective July 8, introduces a provision allowing consumers to verify their identity or age by submitting government-issued documents. This includes scans of ID images, biometric data, or verification results, which could help Anthropic comply with the export ban by confirming US citizenship. The policy explicitly mentions that US passports or enhanced driving licenses from border states—such as those indicating nationality—could serve as proof. However, enterprise users, who may rely heavily on these models, are not covered by this workaround and remain locked out. The US order, issued on Friday, targeted Fable 5 and Mythos 5, two models released just days earlier. Anthropic’s blog post confirmed the suspension, citing compliance requirements but leaving enterprise solutions unresolved. While the policy update offers a potential solution for individual consumers, it does not address the broader challenge of distinguishing users in corporate or institutional settings. The company has not yet announced alternative measures for enterprise compliance.
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