The controversy erupted after a Reddit post alleged that a version of the software released in April included mechanisms to track users within Chinese borders. Thariq Shihipar, a developer at Anthropic, clarified on X that the code was part of a March experiment intended to curb unauthorized account reselling and protect against model distillation—a process where developers train their systems using the outputs of another company's AI.
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Alibaba Blocks Anthropic's Claude Code Amid Security Allegations
Alibaba is prohibiting staff from using Anthropic’s Claude Code starting July 10, labeling the software high-risk. The decision follows online claims that the tool contains hidden code designed to identify users accessing the service from China, a move the e-commerce giant views as a critical internal security vulnerability.
Anthropic has previously accused Chinese laboratories, including those affiliated with Alibaba, of illicitly distilling its models. While Anthropic restricts direct access to Claude in China citing national security concerns, the tool remains widely utilized by the country's engineering and research communities. By classifying the software as high-risk, Alibaba aims to insulate its internal infrastructure from potential surveillance and the ongoing intellectual property disputes between the U.S. AI firm and Chinese developers.
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