Anthropic updates its 2026 Usage Policy, effective November 12

Anthropic has released an updated Usage Policy, effective November 12. It adds a section on “Prohibiting Deceptive Activities,” renames its election-related restrictions “Prohibiting the Disruption of Democratic Processes,” and expands its weapons ban to cover weapons guidance and control software. The policy also details its rules on surveillance and law enforcement, prohibiting tracking people without their consent and using Claude to decide whom to investigate, arrest, or prosecute, as well as persistent abusive behavior toward models.