ChatGPT Uninstallation Spikes 295% Post-DoD Deal
Surge in Uninstalls and Shifts in User Preferences
The U.S. mobile app market has seen a dramatic shift in user behavior, particularly concerning ChatGPT’s mobile application. According to data from market intelligence provider Sensor Tower, the number of U.S. app uninstalls for ChatGPT’s mobile app increased by 295% on Saturday, February 28. This spike comes in response to the news that OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, had entered into a deal with the Department of Defense (DoD), which has been rebranded under the Trump administration as the Department of War.
This figure is significantly higher than the typical day-over-day uninstall rate of 9% for ChatGPT over the past 30 days. The sudden increase in uninstalls highlights a growing concern among users regarding the potential implications of AI technology being used in defense applications.
Rise in Downloads for Anthropic's Claude
In contrast, the downloads for OpenAI competitor Anthropic’s Claude experienced a sharp rise. On Friday, February 27, U.S. downloads for Claude jumped by 37%, and by Saturday, February 28, they had increased by 51%. This surge came after Anthropic announced it would not partner with the U.S. defense department. The company cited concerns about the potential misuse of AI, including surveillance of Americans and the development of fully autonomous weaponry—areas where AI is not yet ready to operate safely.
This decision appears to have resonated with a significant portion of consumers, who seem to favor Anthropic’s stance on the matter.
Impact on ChatGPT's Downloads and App Rankings
The announcement of the DoD partnership also affected ChatGPT’s download numbers. On Saturday, following the public release of the news, U.S. downloads for ChatGPT dropped by 13% day-over-day. The decline continued on Sunday, with a further 5% drop compared to the previous day. Before the partnership was announced, the app had seen a 14% increase in downloads on Friday.
These changes were also reflected in the app’s rankings on the U.S. App Store. Claude reached No. 1 on Saturday, where it remained as of Monday, March 2. This marked a jump of over 20 ranks compared to its position roughly a week earlier on February 22, 2026.
Changes in User Ratings
User sentiment on app ratings also shifted dramatically. Sensor Tower reported that 1-star reviews for ChatGPT surged by 775% on Saturday, followed by a 100% increase on Sunday. During the same period, five-star reviews declined by 50%.
Supporting Data from Other Providers
Other third-party data providers corroborate these findings. For instance, Appfigures noted that Claude’s total daily U.S. downloads on Saturday surpassed those of ChatGPT for the first time. It also observed an even higher increase in U.S. downloads for Claude, estimating a growth of 88% day-over-day on Saturday.
According to Appfigures, Claude has now become the No. 1 free iPhone app in several countries, including Belgium, Canada, Germany, Luxembourg, Norway, Switzerland, and the U.S.
Another market intelligence provider, Similarweb, reported that Claude’s U.S. downloads over the past week were approximately 20 times what they were in January. However, it cautioned that this increase could be due to factors other than the political issues surrounding the DoD partnership.
Conclusion
The recent developments highlight a growing divide in consumer preferences regarding AI partnerships with government entities. While some users are concerned about the ethical implications of such collaborations, others may see them as a step toward advancing AI technology. As the debate continues, the market dynamics for AI applications will likely remain fluid, influenced by both technological advancements and public perception.
