Federal Court Upholds Pentagon's Exclusion of Anthropic

A Washington appeals court has confirmed, by a vote of 2 to 1, the exclusion of Anthropic from Pentagon markets on the grounds of supply chain risk. Meanwhile, a federal judge in San Francisco blocked a similar designation at the end of August based on different reasoning. Amid contradictory decisions, intense usage by intelligence services, and alleged stock market stakes, the situation is also becoming politically charged.

Usage by Intelligence and Public Support for Anthropic

U.S. intelligence agencies are extensively using AI models developed by Anthropic. At the same time, figures from the tech industry and former military officials have expressed their support for the company. In this context, President Donald Trump publicly labeled Anthropic as a "left-wing" and "woke" company.

Legal Framework: Validation in Washington, Blockage in San Francisco

In Washington, the federal appeals court upheld the exclusion of Anthropic from military contracts with the Pentagon, deeming the classification of the company as a supply chain risk justified, by a vote of 2 to 1. At the end of August, a federal judge in San Francisco, on the other hand, blocked a parallel classification based on a different law, ruling it as constituting illegal retaliation against Anthropic's stance on AI safety.

Reasons for the Dispute and Consequences Raised by the Company

The dispute originates from Anthropic's decision not to allow the use of its technology in autonomous weapons or for mass surveillance. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the security limitations imposed by Anthropic could jeopardize military operations. Anthropic rejects the decision and indicates that it is considering its next steps, while asserting that this designation has cost it billions and harmed its IPO plans.