China rushed to use OpenClaw. Now, some stressed-out users are forking out cash to uninstall the AI agent.

In China, the OpenClaw phenomenon has taken an unexpected turn, creating a unique economic ecosystem around the AI agent. As the initial excitement fades, users are now paying for the privilege of uninstalling the software they once eagerly sought. Reports from Business Insider reveal a surge of listings on secondhand marketplaces like Xianyu, where individuals are charging around 299 Chinese yuan (approximately $44) to remove OpenClaw, with certain services costing as much as $87. Sellers are not only removing the software but also offering promises to eliminate residual files and potential viruses. The spike in uninstall requests coincides with new restrictions on OpenClaw's usage, particularly within government agencies and state-run enterprises, due to rising security fears. Employees at these institutions, including significant banking sectors, have been advised against installing the software and must report its presence on their work devices, as noted by Bloomberg. OpenClaw gained traction among users just last month, but social media buzz intensified recently with the viral phrase "raising the lobster," a colloquial term for deploying the AI agent to automate various tasks. This term quickly became synonymous with the exploration of OpenClaw’s capabilities, attracting users who believed it could assist with everything from scheduling to launching small businesses. In a remarkable scene at Tencent's headquarters in Shenzhen, nearly a thousand individuals queued to receive free installation assistance from engineers. Local governments are also incentivizing this trend, with districts in Shenzhen and Wuxi offering perks like rent-free offices and subsidies reaching up to $720,000 to attract startups focused on OpenClaw development. However, looming security concerns have led many users to reconsider their choices. The National Vulnerability Database of China has warned about the risks associated with poorly configured OpenClaw setups, highlighting potential vulnerabilities to cyberattacks and data breaches. Consequently, numerous guides have emerged on platforms like RedNote, detailing how to uninstall the AI tool and explaining the motivations behind these actions. Amidst the humor surrounding the burgeoning "OpenClaw service economy," users have shared their experiences. One user quipped, "Loading lobsters costs 599, unloading them costs 299," highlighting the financial cycle surrounding the tool. As the trend continues to unfold, some have even humorously categorized the process as a "lobster three-piece combo" — the act of paying for installation, configuration, and ultimately, uninstallation. One RedNote user remarked on the ingenuity of this business model, stating that it resembles a 'stupidity tax' rather than a true embrace of AI, while others noted that some installers reportedly earned up to $36,000 within a few days from assisting users with OpenClaw.