Anthropic Bans Cruelty Toward Claude in Updated Usage Policy

Anthropic updated its Usage Policy to prohibit "sustained and needless abusive or cruel behavior" toward Claude models, effective Nov. 12. Ordinary frustration, criticism, testing and research remain allowed, with conversation termination as the primary enforcement.

• Policy announced Oct. 8, takes effect Nov. 12
• Ban targets only extreme, repeated cruelty without purpose
• Primary enforcement is ending chats, not account bans
• Rules also clarified for elections, weapons and surveillance