Anthropic Files Suit Against Pentagon Over 'Risk' Label

AI developer Anthropic has taken the Department of Defense to court, challenging its recent designation as a supply chain risk to national security. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, seeks to block the Pentagon from placing the company on a procurement blocklist.

The legal action follows a weeks-long standoff. In late February, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pressured Anthropic to remove specific safety restrictions from its AI systems. CEO Dario Amodei refused, stating the company would not permit its technology to be used for mass surveillance or autonomous weapons. On a February 27 deadline, Hegseth threatened the risk designation and termination of a $200 million government contract. President Trump subsequently ordered federal agencies to stop using Anthropic products.

Anthropic's lawsuit argues the Pentagon's move is an unlawful retaliation that violates constitutional free speech and due process protections. "The Constitution does not allow the government to wield its enormous power to punish a company for its protected speech," the company stated.

An Anthropic spokesperson told Engadget the lawsuit is a necessary step to protect the business, but emphasized a continued willingness to work with the government on a transition.

Rival OpenAI swiftly secured a deal with the Defense Department after Anthropic's refusal. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman highlighted contractual prohibitions against domestic mass surveillance and ensuring human responsibility for force - the very principles at the heart of Anthropic's dispute. Despite these assurances, OpenAI's head of robotics hardware, Caitlin Kalinowski, resigned over the weekend, citing concerns about surveillance and autonomous weapons in the new pact.

Source: Engadget