The Claude AI app by Anthropic has surged to the No. 2 position on Apple’s U.S. free apps chart as of February 16, 2026, after being involved in the U.S. Defense Department’s operations against Venezuela. Reports indicate that Claude AI was utilized via a Palantir contract to assist in capturing former President Nicolás Maduro. This spike in popularity follows controversy sparked by the Trump administration’s attempt to halt government adoption of Anthropic’s technology. President Trump criticized the company’s restrictions, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth labeled Anthropic a national security risk. Despite competition from OpenAI’s ChatGPT at No. 1 and Google’s Gemini at No. 3, Claude AI has gained notable momentum in February, rising from No. 131 to the top rankings. This surge reflects the growing demand for ethical AI solutions, as Anthropic continues to navigate challenges in government and corporate sectors, reinforcing its value in defense capabilities.
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