US restriction on Anthropic AI models reignites Europe's push for tech independence

Published 15 June 2026 · tech

Europe says Anthropic restrictions highlight technology dependence US restrictions shut off access to Anthropic's advanced AI models European leaders push for stronger local AI capabilities

Europe says Anthropic restrictions highlight technology dependence US restrictions shut off access to Anthropic's advanced AI models European leaders push for stronger local AI capabilities Why US acted against Anthropic's models The European Commission has said the US government's decision to restrict foreign access to Anthropic's Mythos 5 and Fable 5 models highlights a growing reality for countries and businesses that depend on technology developed elsewhere: access can be limited or suspended with little warning. The comments came after Anthropic disabled access to the company's advanced AI models for non-US users following export restrictions imposed by Washington. The move has sparked concerns across Europe and beyond about technological dependence, with officials warning that critical AI services controlled by foreign companies or governments may not always remain available to international users.The European Commission said it is reviewing the practical impact of the restrictions on European users and businesses that rely on advanced AI tools.

According to news agency Reuters, European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier said the incident is "a further illustration of why Europe needs to strengthen its technological sovereignty."The Commission's comments came days after Anthropic suspended access to Fable 5 and Mythos 5 for users outside the United States to comply with a government directive linked to national security concerns.The restrictions prevent foreign governments, companies and individuals from accessing Anthropic's newest and most advanced AI systems.Anthropic said it was forced to disable access because the scope of the order affected a

broad range of users outside the United States. The company added that the government did not provide detailed information about the national security concerns behind the move.The decision has renewed calls in Europe for greater investment in domestic AI infrastructure and homegrown AI companies.French political leader Jordan Bardella said the episode showed that artificial intelligence has become a matter of national sovereignty.Finnish Member of the European Parliament Aura Salla also raised concerns, saying Europe cannot continue building critical technology infrastructure on services that can be switched off overnight

by a foreign government.Their comments reflect growing concerns among policymakers that access to key technologies may increasingly become tied to geopolitical decisions.The restrictions followed concerns that Anthropic's Fable 5 model could provide information that may assist cyberattacks if its safeguards were bypassed. According to a Wall Street Journal report, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy discussed findings from Amazon researchers with US officials before the restrictions were introduced.The US government has said it expects the controls to be temporary and hopes Anthropic can address the safety concerns that led to the decision.