# OpenAI limits GPT-5.6 rollout after government request, says restrictions shouldn't be the norm

_Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 9:04 AM EDT · AI · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![OpenAI limits GPT-5.6 rollout after government request, says restrictions shouldn't be the norm — Primary](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/GettyImages-2273245180.jpg?resize=1200,800)

OpenAI is limiting the release of its newest GPT-5.6 lineup of AI models to a small group of trusted partners at the request of the Trump administration, the company said Friday. The GPT-5.6 family includes three models: Sol, the flagship; Terra, a more balanced model for everyday use; and Luna, a faster, lower-cost option. OpenAI said the preview is limited to partners whose participation has been shared with the government. The company called the restrictions a short-term step that will lead to broader availability in the coming weeks as it works with the administration on a new executive order framework on cybersecurity and a repeatable process for future model releases. OpenAI said it does not believe this kind of government access process should become the long-term default, adding that it keeps the best tools from users, developers, enterprises, cyber defenders and global partners who need them. The move follows the administration's order for Anthropic to remove foreign national access to its Fable 5 model, which prompted Anthropic to take the model down entirely. OpenAI said GPT-5.6 Sol is its strongest model yet with improved agentic capabilities in coding, biology and cybersecurity, and is slightly better at coding workflows than Anthropic's Claude Mythos 5 while using a third of the output tokens. Pricing starts at $5 per million input tokens and $30 per million output tokens for Sol, with Terra costing half that, and Luna at $1 and $6 respectively.

## Sources

- [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/26/openai-limits-gpt-5-6-rollout-after-government-request-says-restrictions-shouldnt-be-the-norm/)

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Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)