Trump administration illegally retaliated against Anthropic, judge rules
A US federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration's designation of AI startup Anthropic as a 'supply-chain risk' was illegal and retaliatory. The court found that the government overstepped its authority after Anthropic refused to allow its AI models to be used for autonomous weapons and surveillance.
Why it matters
This ruling sets a significant legal precedent regarding the limits of executive power when using national security justifications to penalize private companies that refuse to comply with government demands.
Image source, AFP via Getty Images By Osmond Chia Business reporter Published 17 minutes ago A judge has ruled the US Department of Defense acted unlawfully when it designated artificial intelligence (AI) startup Anthropic a supply chain risk, calling the move "illegal and baseless".
The Claude-maker argued in the lawsuit that Defense Secretary Pete Hegeth overstepped his authority with the new designation. It followed Anthropic's refusal to allow the military to use its AI models for things that included surveillance or autonomous weapons.
US district judge Rita Lin said in the ruling that citing national security "is not a blank check to punish and retaliate against government critics".
The BBC has contacted the Pentagon, White House and Anthropic for comment.
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