Uninstalls of the ChatGPT app in the United States jumped 295% in one day after news broke that OpenAI signed a deal with the U.S. Department of Defense, according to data from Sensor Tower reported by TechCrunch.
The spike happened on Saturday, February 28. It came shortly after OpenAI announced it would deploy its AI models in classified government environments. The department has been referred to as the Department of War under the current administration.
Before the news, ChatGPT’s typical day-over-day uninstall rate was around 9% over the previous month. Downloads also dropped 13% on Saturday and fell another 5% on Sunday. Just one day earlier, downloads had risen 14%.
Many users voiced concern about AI being used in military settings. Some feared possible surveillance or autonomous weapons use. OpenAI said the contract includes strict safeguards and limits. CEO Sam Altman later described parts of the deal as “rushed” and said amendments were added to block intentional domestic surveillance of U.S. citizens.
At the same time, the Claude app from Anthropic climbed in App Store rankings. Some users appeared to switch platforms. Reports also showed a rise in one-star reviews for ChatGPT following the announcement.
OpenAI said the agreement contains more guardrails than any previous classified AI deployment. The company stated that the tools can be used only for lawful purposes under U.S. law and Defense Department policies.
The situation shows growing public scrutiny over AI companies working with governments and military agencies. OpenAI recently said ChatGPT has 900 million weekly active users worldwide, though uninstall data shared so far reflects only U.S. trends.
The story is still developing as OpenAI reviews the partnership and monitors user feedback.
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