Tech Giants Push Back on Pentagon’s Anthropic Supply Chain Ban

A major technology industry group has written to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressing worry over the Pentagon's decision to label AI company Anthropic as a supply chain risk. The group, which includes tech giants like Nvidia, Amazon, and Apple, warns this move could limit military access to cutting-edge technology.

A powerful technology industry organization has voiced its opposition to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the Pentagon’s recent classification of artificial intelligence firm Anthropic as a supply chain threat, warning that such actions could jeopardize military access to top-tier technological solutions.

The Information Technology Industry Council, representing major corporations including Nvidia, Amazon.com, and Apple, sent correspondence on Wednesday stating their unease with the supply chain risk designation stemming from a procurement disagreement, though they avoided specifically mentioning Anthropic by name.

“We are concerned by recent reports regarding the Department of War’s consideration of imposing a supply chain risk designation in response to a procurement dispute,” the organization wrote in their Wednesday-dated communication.

The controversy stems from a prolonged and contentious battle between Anthropic and military officials over technology safety measures for Claude AI systems utilized by defense personnel. Following weeks of escalating tensions, President Donald Trump implemented a government-wide prohibition on the company last week, establishing a six-month timeline for agencies to discontinue use of their services. Subsequently, Hegseth directed Pentagon contractors to eliminate Anthropic’s advanced AI technologies from their operations.

The industry council further warned that such declarations could “undermine the government’s access to the best-in-class products and services from American companies that serve all agencies and components of the federal government.”

Pentagon officials have not yet provided a response to requests for comment on the matter.

This correspondence represents the most substantial backing Anthropic has received from the broader technology sector, which encompasses the company’s financial backers, vendors, and clients.