Amazon CEO reportedly raised Anthropic model concerns before government crackdown
TechCrunch reports that Amazon CEO Andy Jassy may have been the source of the security concerns that led Anthropic to cut off worldwide access to two of its models. According to the Wall Street Journal, Jassy told Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and other officials that Amazon researchers used Anthropic's Claude Fable 5 to obtain information usable in cyberattacks. The government then imposed an export control ban on the Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models. Amazon, a major Anthropic investor, declined to share details, and Anthropic said the capabilities of concern are already available in other public models.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon CEO Andy Jassy may have been the source of the security concerns behind Anthropic cutting off worldwide access to two models on Friday.
- Per the Wall Street Journal, Jassy told Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and others that Amazon researchers used Claude Fable 5 to get information usable in cyberattacks.
- The government subsequently imposed an export control ban on the Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models.
- Amazon, a major Anthropic investor, said it does not share details of such discussions and noted AWS was affected by the cutoff.
- Anthropic said the capabilities causing concern are already available in other publicly accessible models.
The reported source of the concern
TechCrunch points to Amazon's CEO as a likely origin.
- ›Andy Jassy may have been the source of the security concerns, per the report.
- ›Anthropic cut off worldwide access to two models on Friday.
- ›The Wall Street Journal is cited as the source of the account.
The report says Amazon CEO Andy Jassy may have prompted the security concerns that led Anthropic to cut off worldwide access to two of its models. According to the Wall Street Journal, Jassy raised the issue directly with government officials.
What Jassy reportedly told officials
The concern centered on a specific model and cyberattack-related information.
- ›Jassy reportedly spoke with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and other officials.
- ›He said Amazon researchers used Claude Fable 5 to obtain information usable in cyberattacks.
- ›This account comes from the Wall Street Journal.
Per the report, Jassy told Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and other government officials that Amazon researchers had used Anthropic's Claude Fable 5 to obtain information that could be used in cyberattacks. The Information and Reuters similarly reported that Amazon had communicated concerns about the security of Anthropic's models.
The government's response
Officials acted against the models after the concerns surfaced.
- ›The government imposed an export control ban on the Fable 5 model.
- ›The ban also covered the Mythos 5 model.
- ›The action followed the reported discussions with officials.
After the concerns were raised, the government imposed an export control ban on the Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models. The article ties this crackdown to the discussions Jassy reportedly had with officials.
Amazon's statement
Amazon responded without confirming specifics.
- ›Amazon is described as a major Anthropic investor.
- ›A spokesperson said it is not uncommon for governments to seek the company's counsel on security risks.
- ›The company said it does not share details of those discussions.
- ›The spokesperson pointed to an update stating AWS was affected by the model cutoff.
An Amazon spokesperson said that while it is not uncommon for governments to seek the company's counsel on potential security risks, Amazon does not share the details of those discussions. The spokesperson also pointed to an update noting that AWS had been affected by the model cutoff.
Anthropic and other accounts
Anthropic and a former official offered competing framings.
- ›Anthropic said in a blog post that the capabilities of concern are already available in other public models.
- ›David Sacks, former AI czar, said a trusted partner came forward with a jailbreak.
- ›Sacks said the administration asked Dario Amodei to fix the jailbreak or de-deploy the model, and that Amodei refused.
Anthropic responded that the capabilities apparently causing the government's concern are already available in other publicly accessible models. David Sacks, Trump's former AI czar who now co-chairs the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, offered a different account, saying a highly credible partner of both Anthropic and the US government came forward with a jailbreak, that the administration asked CEO Dario Amodei to fix it or de-deploy the model, and that Amodei refused.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who reportedly raised the concerns about Anthropic's models?
The Wall Street Journal reports that Amazon CEO Andy Jassy raised them with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and other officials.
Which models were affected?
The government imposed an export control ban on Anthropic's Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models, and Anthropic cut off worldwide access to two models.
What was the specific concern?
Jassy reportedly said Amazon researchers used Claude Fable 5 to obtain information that could be used in cyberattacks.
How did Anthropic respond?
Anthropic said in a blog post that the capabilities causing concern are already available in other publicly accessible models.
What did Amazon say?
Amazon said it does not share details of such discussions and pointed to an update noting that AWS was affected by the model cutoff.
The reports suggest a major Anthropic investor helped trigger a government crackdown on two of Anthropic's most powerful models, even as Anthropic disputed the severity of the concern.
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