The UK denies seeking exemptions from Anthropic AI export controls

The office of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has denied media reports that the country sought an exemption from US export restrictions on Anthropic's artificial intelligence models. The US imposed the restrictions on Friday, citing potential security risks from the models' built-in safeguards being circumvented. The incident has renewed questions across Europe about digital sovereignty and excessive dependence on American technology.

The UK government denied on Tuesday that Prime Minister Keir Starmer had sought an exemption from US export controls imposed on Anthropic's most powerful artificial intelligence models. The denial came ahead of a G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, where world leaders met for lunch with executives from major tech firms.

US controls create confusion

The US government imposed controls on Friday, expressing concern that Anthropic's models' built-in safety mechanisms could be circumvented. Anthropic announced it would comply with the order and remove access to restricted models from all users.

Initial media reports claimed that the UK, which has close defence and security ties with the US, had requested an exemption. A Downing Street spokesperson categorically denied this, calling the reports "completely false".

"We are in regular and constructive contact with the US government and Anthropic to understand the full picture of the situation, and they are monitoring it closely," the spokesperson said.

Europe keeps a low profile

The incident revealed that European governments are treating this as a separate dispute between the US White House and Anthropic, and are deliberately avoiding escalating the matter, fearing they might provoke the ire of US President Donald Trump.

The UK spokesperson added that the country would continue working with industry to ensure the responsible development of artificial intelligence. The UK's AI Safety Institute has tested many leading AI models through voluntary collaboration agreements before their public release, including solutions from Anthropic.

Starmer: child safety is the priority

At lunch with tech executives, Starmer emphasised the importance of child safety online, just days after he announced plans to ban access to social media for under-16s.

"I don't just want the UK to lead the tech revolution, I want us to direct it for whom this change is actually for," Starmer said. "My message to the heads of tech firms is clear: work with us to ensure child safety, or I will do everything in my power to make it happen."

The incident has also raised broader questions about European digital sovereignty and concerns about over-reliance on US technology, an issue that has become pressing across the continent.