Elon Musk Challenges Apple Over Alleged App Store AI Bias
Elon Musk has threatened “immediate legal action” against Apple, alleging antitrust violations in how the company ranks AI applications in its App Store. The Tesla and X owner claims Apple is unfairly favoring OpenAI’s ChatGPT over his Grok AI chatbot in store rankings and promotional features.
In posts on X, Musk accused Apple of “behaving in a manner that makes it impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach #1 in the App Store.” He specifically criticized Apple for featuring ChatGPT in the “Must-Have Apps” section while excluding both X and Grok, despite claiming X is the “#1 news app in the world” and Grok ranks fifth among all applications.
The dispute intensifies the ongoing feud between Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who co-founded the company together in 2015. Altman responded by suggesting Musk manipulates his own X platform “to benefit himself and his own companies and harm his competitors.” Apple’s partnership with OpenAI, announced in 2024, integrates ChatGPT across iPhone, iPad, and Mac products.
This latest controversy adds to Apple’s growing list of antitrust challenges. The Department of Justice is already pursuing a landmark case alleging the company operates an iPhone ecosystem monopoly, while European regulators have fined Apple €500 million for restricting app developers from directing users to cheaper alternatives outside the App Store.
Source: CNBC