OpenAI’s chatbot ChatGPT is encountering mounting criticism in the United States following the company’s agreement with the Pentagon on AI deployment for military purposes.
Data from market intelligence firm Sensor Tower shows that the app’s uninstall rate spiked by 295 percent this week — far exceeding its average day-over-day uninstall rate of 9 percent over the previous month.
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The fallout has extended beyond deletions. ChatGPT’s downloads dropped 13 percent on Saturday, followed by an additional 5 percent decline on Sunday, reflecting a broader cooling in user demand.
The shift in sentiment comes after OpenAI finalized an agreement with the United States Department of Defense allowing ChatGPT to be deployed across classified networks for “all lawful uses,” according to company leadership. CEO Sam Altman defended the decision, stating the partnership aligns with legal and national security frameworks.
In contrast, rival AI firm Anthropic reportedly declined a similar arrangement. Its CEO, Dario Amodei, has publicly emphasized ethical concerns surrounding artificial intelligence, including the risks of mass surveillance and autonomous weapons systems.
“QuitGPT” Campaign Gains Traction
Fueling the backlash is a grassroots campaign dubbed “QuitGPT,” which began circulating in early February 2026. The movement calls on users to cancel subscriptions, delete the app, and switch to what organizers describe as more privacy-focused or open-source AI alternatives, including Alpine, Confer, Lumo, Gemini, and Claude.
Activists have also cited political contributions made by OpenAI President Greg Brockman as part of their concerns. Campaign finance filings indicate Brockman donated $25 million to White House-related political efforts, including contributions to former President Donald Trump’s Super PAC, MAGA Inc.
Additionally, critics have pointed to reports that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has used AI tools powered by ChatGPT-4 in resume screening processes, further intensifying scrutiny.
Claude Climbs to No. 1 Spot
Amid the controversy, Anthropic’s chatbot Claude has surged in popularity. Over the weekend, Claude ranked as the No. 1 free app on the U.S. App Store and maintained its lead through Monday, March 2nd.
The momentum was not limited to the United States. Claude also claimed the top position among free iPhone apps in Belgium, Canada, Germany, Luxembourg, Norway, and Switzerland, signaling a broader international shift in user preference during OpenAI’s turbulent week.
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