ByteDance Plans to Restrict Claude and Codex Access to Internal Files

ByteDance plans to cut external AI access to sensitive internal files starting in November, covering L4 code repositories and Feishu documents used across the company.

Claude and Codex are among the outside tools covered. Employees also will not be able to use AI accounts they bought personally to access the restricted material. Some Seed scenarios are exempt.

ByteDance technology vice president 洪定坤 said a leak involving L3-level content or higher could have serious consequences. He also said ByteDance did not need to ban alternatives to promote its own AI, adding that forcing employees to use it would have little effect.

The planned access limits apply to L4 repositories and documents, while 洪定坤’s warning addressed leaks at L3 or higher. ByteDance also restricted employees’ use of Cursor and Windsurf in May 2025 after business data was stored in personal accounts.