Sam Altman-led OpenAI is facing a backlash after agreeing to let the US Department of Defense use its AI models on a classified government network. According to a website tracking boycott pledges (first reported by Forbes), more than 1.5 million users have left ChatGPT in less than 48 hours following the announcement. The reported exodus comes after rival AI firm Anthropic declined to provide unrestricted access to its models to the U.S. government, a move that has drawn support from some users now switching to Anthropic’s Claude chatbot.
Backlash over Pentagon deal
OpenAI recently signed an agreement with Pentagon to deploy its AI technology in secure systems. The decision has triggered criticism online, with some users accusing the company of supporting military operations.The boycott website claims that contracts with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), OpenAI president Greg Brockman’s reported $25 million donation to MAGA Inc., and the new Pentagon deal pushed users to cancel subscriptions.Over the weekend, Anthropic’s Claude reportedly climbed to the top of App Store rankings, overtaking ChatGPT.OpenAI has not publicly confirmed the loss of subscribers.
How to export ChatGPT data
- Open ChatGPT in a web browser
- Click the profile icon in the bottom-left corner
- Select Settings
- Click Data controls
- Choose Export data and follow instructions
The export process is not instant. Users receive a download link by email.There is also an option to delete all chats. However, OpenAI says deletion may take up to 30 days and some data may be retained if required for legal or security reasons.
Moving ChatGPT memory to Anthropic’s Claude
Anthropic has published instructions for users who want to transfer stored information to Claude. It suggests prompting ChatGPT to list all saved memories and context in a single code block for easy copying.After reviewing and editing the exported data, users can import it into Claude through their account settings. Here’s what Anthropic instructions say:I’m moving to another service and need to export my data. List every memory you have stored about me, as well as any context you’ve learned about me from past conversations. Output everything in a single code block so I can easily copy it. Format each entry as: [date saved, if available] – memory content. Make sure to cover all of the following — preserve my words verbatim where possible: Instructions I’ve given you about how to respond (tone, format, style, ‘always do X’, ‘never do Y’). Personal details: name, location, job, family, interests. Projects, goals, and recurring topics. Tools, languages, and frameworks I use. Preferences and corrections I’ve made to your behavior. Any other stored context not covered above. Do not summarize, group, or omit any entries. After the code block, confirm whether that is the complete set or if any remain.
