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Anthropic Reopens Pentagon Talks as OpenAI Faces Backlash and Revises Defense Deal

The company seeks explicit limits on surveillance following a clause fight that froze federal use.

Overview

  • CEO Dario Amodei has resumed discussions with Under Secretary Emil Michael to avert a formal “supply‑chain risk” designation and restore access to Defense networks.
  • Talks previously collapsed when the Pentagon pushed to delete a clause on “analysis of bulk acquired data,” which Anthropic says prevents mass domestic surveillance.
  • OpenAI secured a separate Defense Department contract for “all lawful purposes” and now says it will amend the terms to explicitly prohibit mass domestic surveillance.
  • Consumer reaction has been sharp, with reports citing a 295% surge in ChatGPT uninstalls as Anthropic’s Claude rose in Apple’s app‑store rankings.
  • OpenAI is offering a complimentary month to some users canceling ChatGPT Plus, while Amodei’s internal memo accused OpenAI’s messaging about the deal of being “straight up lies.”