ChatGPT uninstalls spike 295% following Pentagon deal

US uninstalls of OpenAI’s ChatGPT mobile app jumped 295% day-over-day on February 28 after news of a deal with the US Department of Defense, Sensor Tower said.

The spike far exceeded the typical 9% daily rate recorded by Sensor Tower over the prior month.

In contrast, Anthropic’s Claude saw its US downloads surpass ChatGPT for the first time, rising 88% day-over-day. Anthropic has stated it will not partner with the Pentagon, citing ethical concerns over AI surveillance and autonomous weapons.

Sensor Tower said ChatGPT’s US downloads fell 13% on February 28 and 5% on March 1 after the announcement.

🔗 Source: TechCrunch

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Defense deal fallout after Anthropic’s refusal

The dispute started after the US Department of Defense announced a deal with OpenAI, which set off a wave of user backlash 1.
Anthropic, a US AI startup, said it would not work with the Department of Defense, pointing to worries about AI surveillance and autonomous weapons 2.
After the deal became public, US uninstalls of OpenAI’s ChatGPT mobile app rose 295% day-over-day on February 28, compared with a 9% day-over-day average over the prior 30 days 3.

Public opinion is shaping the AI market

The jump in ChatGPT removals suggests military ties can turn into a business risk fast, with user counts dropping in a single day 3.
As OpenAI landed the Department of Defense contract, Sensor Tower logged Claude downloads up 37% on February 27 and 51% on February 28, while Appfigures said Claude’s US downloads on Saturday beat ChatGPT for the first time after rising about 88% day-over-day 3.
App ratings shifted as well, with Sensor Tower reporting 1-star reviews for ChatGPT up 775% on Saturday and up 100% on Sunday, while 5-star reviews fell 50% 3.
Similarweb said Claude’s US downloads over the past week were about 20 times January levels, though it cautioned that other factors may also drive the increase 4.