JPMorgan has reportedly restricted access to Anthropic’s Claude AI models for employees in Hong Kong, highlighting growing concerns around AI regulation, data security, and cross border technology access.
Quick Summary – TLDR:
- JPMorgan Chase has reportedly removed Anthropic’s Claude AI models from its list of approved AI tools for staff in Hong Kong.
- The decision was reportedly linked to the wording of Anthropic’s licensing and usage terms.
- Goldman Sachs previously took a similar step for its Hong Kong based bankers.
- The move comes as the United States increases scrutiny of advanced AI technologies and their availability outside the country.
What Happened?
JPMorgan Chase has reportedly stopped employees in Hong Kong from accessing Anthropic’s Claude AI models, according to a Financial Times report citing people familiar with the matter. The restriction follows a similar decision by Goldman Sachs earlier this year and reflects growing caution among major financial institutions regarding the use of advanced artificial intelligence tools outside the United States.
The reported decision was tied to the wording of Anthropic’s licensing agreement, which prompted JPMorgan to remove Claude from an internal list of approved large language models available to employees in Hong Kong.
🚨BREAKING: JPMORGAN REMOVES CLAUDE AI ACCESS FOR HONG KONG EMPLOYEES
— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) June 18, 2026
According to the Financial Times, JPMorgan pulled Anthropic’s Claude models from the approved AI tools available to staff in the city.
Goldman Sachs reportedly took the same action in April. pic.twitter.com/LeJnvUxXWL
JPMorgan Removes Claude From Approved AI Tools
According to the report, Hong Kong based employees at JPMorgan can no longer select Claude models from an internal drop down menu containing approved AI tools. Sources familiar with the matter said the bank adopted a strict interpretation of Anthropic’s terms of use.
One person familiar with the decision reportedly told the Financial Times that Anthropic’s usage policies exclude use in Greater China, leading JPMorgan to take a cautious approach. As a result, the bank removed Claude from its approved technology options in Hong Kong.
The move places JPMorgan alongside Goldman Sachs, which reportedly stopped its Hong Kong bankers from using Anthropic earlier this year.
Growing Scrutiny Around AI Access
The restrictions come at a time when concerns surrounding AI technology, data security, and national security are intensifying.
While AI models developed by American companies are generally unavailable in mainland China, Hong Kong has historically remained a market where some services could still operate under company imposed restrictions. International organizations have often navigated these limitations through global contracts and infrastructure located outside mainland China.
However, recent developments suggest that access to advanced AI models is facing increased scrutiny, particularly when it involves regions viewed as strategically sensitive by the United States.
US Government Increases Pressure on Advanced AI Exports
The reported actions by JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs coincide with a broader debate in Washington over the international availability of cutting edge AI systems.
Earlier this month, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick sent a letter to Anthropic Chief Executive Dario Amodei directing the company to suspend exports of its Mythos and Fable AI models to destinations worldwide and to foreign nationals. The order cited concerns that the technology could potentially be used by military intelligence users in China, Russia, and other countries considered security risks.
Reports also indicated that Anthropic would be required to obtain government authorization before providing its latest Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models to foreign nationals.
At the same time, US President Donald Trump said negotiations with Anthropic are “going fine.”
Global Concerns Over AI Restrictions
The US government’s position has sparked discussions beyond Asia. European leaders have expressed concern that tighter American controls on advanced AI technologies could deepen the region’s dependence on US technology companies.
French President Emmanuel Macron recently held discussions with Group of Seven leaders and technology executives about expanding access to advanced AI systems through trusted international partnerships.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also called for closer coordination with Washington, saying:
Meanwhile, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman have both advocated for international cooperation on AI safety and responsible deployment. Speaking about the future of artificial intelligence, Altman said, “The question before us now, and particularly before all of you, is how we can usher this technology into the world in a way that benefits everyone,” adding that policymakers must balance safety concerns with broader access to the technology.
SQ Magazine Takeaway
I think this story is about much more than JPMorgan removing one AI tool from an internal menu. It shows how quickly AI is becoming a geopolitical issue, not just a technology issue. Banks, governments, and AI companies are now being forced to navigate a complex mix of compliance rules, national security concerns, and international business needs. If these restrictions continue to expand, global access to leading AI models could become increasingly fragmented, creating different AI ecosystems across regions.
