ChatGPT, one of the leading generative AI chatbots, is facing significant backlash from users in the United States, as its uninstall rate has skyrocketed to 295%, raising serious concerns about the app’s future, following a controversial deal between OpenAI and the Department of Defense.
According to market intelligence firm Sensor Tower, the spike in un-installation rates far exceeds the day-over-day uninstall rate of 9% recorded over the past month. The effects of this public outcry have extended beyond simple app deletions; on Saturday alone, downloads of ChatGPT plummeted by 13%, and the trend continued into Sunday with an additional 5% drop.
This shift in public sentiment can largely be traced back to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s decision to allow the military to deploy ChatGPT across all classified networks for “all lawful uses.” The decision has drawn ire from privacy advocates and AI ethical thinkers alike.
In stark contrast, Anthropic, a competing firm, rejected a similar Pentagon deal due to ethical concerns, emphasizing the potential implications of using AI for mass surveillance and managing autonomous weapons.
This uproar has given rise to a grassroots movement dubbed “QuitGPT,” which began in early February 2026, encouraging users to cancel their subscriptions, uninstall the app, and opt for safer AI alternatives amid rising security concerns.
Activists have also pointed to problematic political ties, specifically citing Greg Brockman, OpenAI’s president, whose campaign finance filings reveal $25 million in donations to the White House, including contributions to MAGA Inc., a Super PAC supporting former President Donald Trump.
Critics note that these donations raise questions about the integrity of AI deployment in contexts like the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which reportedly uses ChatGPT-4 for resume screening.
Experts believe as public distrust grows and the QuitGPT movement gains traction, the future of ChatGPT remains uncertain because users are left weighing their options between the technology they once embraced and the ethical implications tied to its usage.
