Big Tech backs Anthropic in fight against Trump administration

"Microsoft, which works extensively with the US government and the Department of Defense (DoD), said it agrees with Anthropic that AI tools "should not be used to conduct domestic mass surveillance or put the country in a position where autonomous machines could independently start a war"."

"The government's behaviour could cause "broad negative ramifications for the entire technology sector", Microsoft warned. Microsoft, which works extensively with the US government and the Department of Defense (DoD), said it agrees with Anthropic that AI tools "should not be used to conduct domestic mass surveillance or put the country in a position where autonomous machines could independently start a war"."

"The Chamber of Progress stressed that it is "ideologically diverse" but concerned about the impact of the government's action on protections under the First Amendment of the US Constitution."

"Anthropic's lawsuit claims its free speech rights have been violated through government retaliation for its public statements, as Hegseth, President Donald Trump and others have accused the company of being "woke" or otherwise politically at odds with the administration."

Multiple major technology companies, including Microsoft, Google, Apple, Amazon, and Nvidia through the Chamber of Progress, have filed legal briefs supporting Anthropic's lawsuit against the Trump Administration. Anthropic refused to allow its AI tools for mass surveillance and autonomous weapons, prompting government retaliation. The tech companies argue the government's actions violate free speech rights and could harm the entire technology sector. Microsoft emphasized that AI should not enable domestic mass surveillance or autonomous warfare. The Chamber of Progress stressed concerns about First Amendment protections and governmental attempts to restrict speech. Meta notably declined to participate, having left the Chamber of Progress in 2025.

Read at www.bbc.com