Anthropics Claude overtakes ChatGPT as #1 in App Store
Source: Mashable Tech
Claude overtakes ChatGPT in the App Store
Anthropic’s Claude has dethroned OpenAI’s ChatGPT in Apple’s App Store, claiming the #1 spot as the most‑downloaded free app in the United States. ChatGPT fell to second place, while Google’s Gemini landed further down the list.
Background
The surge in Claude’s rankings appears linked to public backlash against a recent announcement by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on X, stating that OpenAI would work with the Department of Defense (informally referred to as the “Department of War”) to deploy artificial intelligence through classified networks.
Anthropic’s CEO Dario Amodei publicly opposed unrestricted government use of AI, highlighting the dangers of “mass domestic surveillance” and “fully autonomous weapons” powered by AI. Read the statement.
Political Reactions
President Donald Trump framed Anthropic’s stance as a rebuke of government policy, posting a comment on Truth Social. See coverage.
The Trump administration, through Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, moved to designate Anthropic as a “supply‑chain risk to national security,” a label that could bar the company from future government contracts. Details.
Industry Response
More than 700 employees from Google and OpenAI signed an open letter titled “We Will Not Be Divided.” The letter urges leaders to reject the Department of War’s demands for using AI models in domestic mass surveillance and autonomous weaponry. Read the letter.
Shifting User Loyalty
Anthropic reported significant growth in user engagement:
- Free‑user activity up 60%+ since January.
- Daily sign‑ups tripled since November, breaking all‑time records each day this week.
- Paid subscribers more than doubled this year.
The company moved from rank #42 before Super Bowl LX to a top‑10 position in the U.S. app charts.
Disclosure
Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April, alleging copyright infringement in training and operating its AI systems.