2026 Usage Policy update

Anthropic has published a new version of its Usage Policy, effective November 12, 2026, aimed primarily at clarifying existing rules in response to Claude's evolving capabilities and observed misuse patterns. Key changes include a new consolidated section prohibiting deceptive campaigns and artificial activity, such as state media and commercial firms using Claude to run fake accounts and fabricated news sites. The elections section has been refocused to specifically ban deceiving voters or disrupting elections, and the blanket prohibition on personalized vote and campaign targeting has been removed while deceptive targeting remains prohibited. Weapons prohibitions now explicitly cover the software and components that make weapons work, including arming drones. The surveillance and criminal justice section has been rewritten to more precisely prohibit tracking without consent and using Claude to decide who to investigate or arrest, while clarifying permitted uses like fraud monitoring, journalism, and legal research. The high-risk use case requirements section now more directly answers common user questions and adds requirements for autonomous physical actions, such as requiring a qualified operator who can stop equipment and ensuring safe states if Claude is disconnected. A new prohibition addresses sustained and needless abusive behavior toward models, aligning with Claude's ability to end such conversations. The Supported Regions Policy is also clarified regarding enforcement for unsupported regions. Anthropic states it will continue updating the policy as capabilities and risks change.

(Source：Anthropic)