ChatGPT's mobile app is facing backlash, with reports of a rise in uninstalls in the US. This shift happened following OpenAI's announcement of its collaboration with the US Department of Defense (DoD).
The DoD was renamed the Department of War under the Trump administration through this partnership, which sparked a social media uproar. Here is a detailed look at what exactly happened.
Initially, OpenAI announced a deal with the Pentagon after Anthropic lost its contract. This eventually resulted in a massive online backlash, and users uninstalled ChatGPT.
With more and more users in the US uninstalling the app, the rate of deletion rose to 295 percent day-over-day on February 28, 2026. The falling rate suggests that many users are reacting with outrage to the partnership with DoD.
Reports suggest that the downloads reduced by 13 percent on February 28 and continued to fall on March 1, 2026. ChatGPT downloads rose by 14% in the days leading up to the announcement.
Also read: Anthropic’s Claude AI Beats OpenAI’s ChatGPT in App Store Charts Amid Pentagon Deal Fallout
Amidst OpenAI facing backlashes, Anthropic’s Claude saw an increase in downloads. The increased support came after the AI company announced that it would not collaborate with the US defense. Anthropic explained that it does not agree to the DoD terms. They said that the new partnership raises concerns about AI being used to observe Americans and to make powerful, automated weapons.
Claude's downloads in the US increased by 37% on February 28 and by 51% on March 1, 2026. Claude also secured the ‘No. 1 downloaded app ‘ spot on the US App Store on Saturday.
However, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman accepted that “the AI startup should’ve taken more time before reaching an agreement with the US Department of Defense for a deal on AI usage.” He also posted on X, saying that OpenAI has updated its contract with the Pentagon. This, he says, will ensure that its “principles” stay clear and are not used for anything harmful.