OpenAI said it amended its agreement with the U.S. Defense Department — which some outlets referred to as the Department of War (DoW) — after widespread public backlash, protests and a reported exodus of users to Anthropic’s Claude. The precise calendar date of the initial Friday announcement was not detailed in company postings. At the same time, app-store metrics and industry reporting showed a wave of users switching from ChatGPT to Anthropic’s Claude, a shift contemporary accounts described as a significant user flight. Anthropic’s leaders had pressed the Defense Department for guarantees against domestic surveillance and restrictions on autonomous weapons development, and earlier talks between Anthropic and the Pentagon reportedly broke down. The company and the Defense Department have said publicly they share a commitment to preventing domestic surveillance, while advocates and rival companies continue to press for clearer, legally binding safeguards.

Source: Indian Express March 03, 2026 17:38 UTC