EU rejects security-risk label after US order on Anthropic models

EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said Europe is not a “security risk” to the United States after Anthropic cut access to its Mythos 5 and Fable 5 models. The San Francisco-based company said the US Department of Commerce ordered the suspension for “national security” reasons.

Virkkunen described Europe as an economic opportunity and a trusted partner, and said powerful emerging AI models require cooperation because they are a shared global challenge. The European Commission said it was assessing the practical consequences for European users and warned that contingency measures for advanced AI should not discriminate against partners.

The dispute has intensified Brussels’ push for technological sovereignty. Virkkunen urged swift adoption of measures presented earlier this month to reduce EU dependence on American and Asian technology, including provisions favoring European companies in sensitive public contracts for cloud computing and AI. The package still needs negotiation between the European Parliament and EU member states before becoming law. The EU says companies outside the bloc provide over 80 percent of its digital products, services, infrastructure and intellectual property.