Many users are switching to Claude following a string of controversies surrounding ChatGPT and its parent company, OpenAI.
The tipping point came after Anthropic, the company behind Claude, refused to allow the Department of Defense to use its AI models for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons. In response, President Trump ordered all federal agencies to stop using Anthropic’s products, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced plans to designate the company a supply-chain threat.
Hours later, OpenAI announced its own agreement with the Pentagon, claiming to include safeguards, but the deal has still sparked widespread debate over privacy and the ethical use of AI.
As a result, Claude has surged to the top of the free app rankings in Apple’s US App Store, overtaking ChatGPT. According to Anthropic, daily signups have hit record highs, free users have jumped by more than 60% since January, and paid subscribers have more than doubled this year.
For many users, the recent controversy has made Claude a compelling alternative to ChatGPT. If you’re considering making the switch, this guide will walk you through transferring your data and closing your ChatGPT account.
How to export your data from ChatGPT
Breaking up with ChatGPT shouldn’t mean losing years of digital memory. Instead of starting from scratch with a new AI assistant, you can transfer your data to Claude so it can get up to speed on your preferences right away.
There are a few ways to do this. One place to start is Settings. From there, you go to Personalization and find the Memory section. Select “Manage” and review your stored information, updating anything that no longer accurately reflects your preferences. Once everything is up to date, copy the content you want to keep.
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