'An attempt to cripple Anthropic': US judge questions whether ban on AI company is punitive

Anthropic has asked a San Francisco federal court to block the U.S. government’s decision to label it a national security supply-chain risk and bar federal use of Claude.

Judge Rita F. Lin said the move appeared punitive, noting possible retaliation after Anthropic opposed unrestricted military and surveillance uses of its model.

The government says the restriction is based on security concerns, not punishment, and the judge is expected to rule soon on a temporary pause.

The case could set a major precedent on whether the government can blacklist an AI company over military-use disputes, with implications for procurement and free-speech claims.