The ongoing tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran have triggered debates far beyond military developments. The conflict has also brought renewed scrutiny to American artificial intelligence companies, particularly OpenAI and Anthropic.
Recently, OpenAI came under criticism after announcing a partnership with the United States Department of Defense. The agreement quickly became a hot topic across social media platforms, where many users questioned the company’s decision to collaborate with the US military.
As criticism intensified, a visible reaction followed. Reports suggested that a growing number of users began uninstalling OpenAI’s ChatGPT app, leading to a sharp spike in uninstall numbers. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman later responded publicly to address the backlash and explain the company’s position.
Why Did ChatGPT Uninstallations Surge?
The controversy began when OpenAI signed an initial agreement with the Pentagon soon after Anthropic’s contract with the US Department of Defense came to an end. The timing of the deal sparked strong reactions online, with many users raising concerns about the potential role of AI technology in defence operations.
According to analytics firm Sensor Tower, uninstallations of the ChatGPT app spiked dramatically on February 28. The number of users removing the app reportedly jumped by around 295 percent compared to the previous day, highlighting the scale of the backlash.
Meanwhile, Anthropic’s AI chatbot Claude experienced a surge in popularity. Downloads of the Claude app increased by 51 percent, helping it climb to the top spot on the Apple App Store in the United States.
The reaction was not limited to everyday users. Pop star Katy Perry also weighed in on the issue through a post on X. She shared a screenshot of Claude accompanied by a heart emoji, a gesture many interpreted as support for Anthropic’s approach and its refusal to comply with certain Pentagon requirements.
Sam Altman Responds to the Criticism
In response to the growing criticism, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman addressed the issue on X. He acknowledged that the company may have moved too quickly in finalising the partnership with the US Department of Defense.
Altman said OpenAI has since updated its agreement with the Pentagon and clarified its internal guidelines regarding how its AI systems can be used.
According to Altman, the rapid decision was partly aimed at preventing tensions between the US defence establishment and the AI industry from escalating. However, he admitted that the move ended up appearing rushed and poorly coordinated.
Altman also shared details from an internal memo outlining new safeguards. The memo emphasised that OpenAI’s technology cannot be used for large-scale domestic surveillance of American citizens.
These restrictions are aligned with several US legal frameworks, including the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution, the National Security Act of 1947, and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
