05/07/2026
Alibaba Blacklists Claude Code, Orders Employees to Stop Using It
Chinese technology giant Alibaba has ordered employees to stop using Anthropic's AI coding assistant, Claude Code, beginning July 10, after classifying the software as "high risk" under its internal security framework. The company cited concerns over hidden tracking mechanisms that could identify users connected to China, prompting it to add Claude Code to its restricted software list. Employees have been instructed to uninstall the tool and switch to Alibaba's in-house AI coding assistant, Qoder, for all software development work.
The decision follows growing scrutiny of Anthropic after security researchers and developers claimed Claude Code contained embedded mechanisms capable of detecting users located in China or linked to Chinese organizations. Anthropic acknowledged that it had previously tested detection features as part of efforts to curb unauthorized access, prevent account abuse, and stop competitors from using Claude's outputs to train rival AI models. The company said those measures were introduced to protect its intellectual property and have since been refined.
Alibaba's move reflects the intensifying technological rivalry between the United States and China, with Chinese firms increasingly replacing foreign AI services with domestic alternatives amid stricter data security regulations and geopolitical tensions. The company believes Qoder provides comparable capabilities while ensuring compliance with Chinese cybersecurity and data governance requirements. Industry analysts say the ban underscores how concerns over data sovereignty, AI security, and intellectual property are reshaping enterprise AI adoption on both sides of the global AI race.