A handful of early users still have access to Anthropic's Mythos AI, even after a US government order demanded the company shut it down. The directive, issued by an unnamed federal agency, aimed to halt the AI's operation entirely. But at least some testers continue to log in and use the system, raising questions about enforcement and compliance.
The Shutdown Order
US authorities ordered Anthropic to disable Mythos AI earlier this month. The exact reasons behind the order remain unclear. The government has not publicly detailed its concerns, and Anthropic has not released a statement explaining the situation. The order appears to target the AI's capabilities, possibly tied to national security or regulatory boundaries.
Sources familiar with the matter say the company received the shutdown notice several days ago. Since then, Anthropic has not confirmed whether it has complied. The lack of clarity leaves a gap between what the government demanded and what actually happened on the ground.
Who Still Has Access
The early users who still operate Mythos AI belong to a closed testing group. These are individuals and organizations that signed up before the public launch. They were granted access under specific terms, and those terms apparently have not been revoked—at least not effectively.
It's not known how many users remain active. The group is small, but the fact that anyone can still reach the platform suggests that the shutdown order has not been fully implemented. Whether this is due to technical delays, legal challenges, or simple inaction is unclear.
What Happens Next
The situation puts Anthropic in a difficult spot. The company must now decide how to respond to the government's demand. It could comply fully, appeal the order, or negotiate a compromise. The early users still inside the system are a ticking clock—the longer they stay, the more the order looks toothless.
There is no public deadline for Anthropic to act. The government has not announced any penalties for non-compliance. For now, the small group of testers continues to use Mythos AI, and the rest of the world waits to see whether the shutdown sticks.
