Anthropic to verify identities for Claude access

Anthropic is updating its privacy policy to mandate identity verification for consumers using Claude Free, Pro, or Max, effective July 8, 2026. The change comes as the US government blocked access to Anthropic's latest models—Claude Fable 5 and Mythos 5—for foreign users, citing safety concerns. Without a verification system, Anthropic had no choice but to restrict access entirely.

The new policy may require biometric data, including government IDs, facial scans, or facial geometry templates (considered biometric data in some jurisdictions). While business customers (Team, Enterprise, API) are exempt, consumers face unclear consequences for refusal, ranging from additional security filters to full access blocks. Anthropic’s motivation may extend beyond compliance, aiming to prevent model distillation by foreign competitors and circumvent export restrictions via shared accounts.