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Anthropic's Claude Surpasses ChatGPT Amid Pentagon Controversy

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Anthropic's AI chatbot Claude has climbed to the top of the free app rankings in the US App Store, overtaking OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

  • Dates and Changes: As of Saturday evening, Claude became the number one app, holding that position through Sunday morning. Previously, it had only been in the top 20 during February.
  • Key Milestones: The app's popularity surged following Anthropic's controversial negotiations with the Pentagon. The company reported breaking daily signup records and achieving over 60% growth in free users since January, with paid subscribers more than doubling.
  • Negotiations: Anthropic's talks with the Department of Defense led to federal agencies being directed by President Donald Trump to cease using Anthropic products over concerns about mass domestic surveillance and autonomous weapons.
  • Competitive Moves: Meanwhile, OpenAI revealed its own agreement with the Pentagon, claiming to include similar safeguards.
  • Context: The news was updated on February 28, 2026, at a significant tech event, TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, where major industry players gather.

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