The US Commerce Department reversed course on one of its most aggressive AI export restrictions, partially lifting a ban on Anthropic’s Mythos 5 model just two weeks after ordering the company to pull it offline entirely. The move restores access to more than 100 vetted US companies, agencies, and trusted partners, while a second model, Fable 5, remains completely restricted.
What happened and why it matters
Between June 12 and 13, the Commerce Department instructed Anthropic to block all foreign nationals from accessing both Mythos 5 and Fable 5. National security concerns drove the decision, specifically around the models’ advanced cybersecurity capabilities and potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by adversaries.
Anthropic complied within hours. Both models went dark for non-US users globally.
Then on June 26, the government carved out an exception for Mythos 5. Over 100 vetted organizations, primarily those defending critical infrastructure, regained access. Fable 5, however, stays completely offline with no timeline for reinstatement.
