Anthropics Claude overtakes ChatGPT in App Store

Source: Mashable Tech

Overview

In the battle for AI supremacy, Anthropic’s Claude has overtaken OpenAI’s ChatGPT in Apple’s App Store, claiming the #1 spot as the most‑downloaded free app in the United States, with ChatGPT in second place and Google’s Gemini further down the list.

Rankings Shift

Claude’s sudden surge to the top of the U.S. App Store charts appears closely tied to public backlash against a recent announcement by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman that the company would work with the Department of Defense (unofficially titled the “Department of War”) to deploy artificial intelligence through classified networks. The announcement was posted on X — see Altman’s statement here.

Controversy Over DoD Collaboration

The move sparked criticism from various quarters, including Anthropic’s own leadership. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei issued a public stand against unrestricted government use of AI, warning about the dangers of “mass domestic surveillance” and “fully autonomous weapons” powered by AI. The full statement can be read here.

Anthropic’s Stance

Anthropic positioned itself as a principled alternative, emphasizing ethical concerns over the deployment of AI in military and surveillance contexts. The company’s spokesperson told Mashable that:

• Free‑user numbers have risen by more than 60 % since January.
• Daily sign‑ups have tripled since November.
• Paid subscriptions have more than doubled this year.

Political Reactions

• Former President Donald Trump framed the controversy as a rebuke of government policy, calling Anthropic’s actions “a disastrous mistake” in a post on Truth Social (reported by CNBC).
• The Trump administration, through Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has moved to designate Anthropic as a “supply‑chain risk to national security,” a label that could block the company from future government contracts.

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 weapons without human oversight.

User Shift and Metrics

According to Anthropic, the app’s ranking jumped from #42 before Super Bowl LX to a top‑10 position in the U.S. charts within a week. The surge reflects growing public sensitivity to ethical issues surrounding AI deployment.

Disclosure

• Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April, alleging that OpenAI infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.