Musk Accuses Apple of Antitrust Violations Over AI App Store Policies
Tech Mogul Claims iPhone Maker Favors OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Threatens Legal Action
Tech titan Elon Musk has ignited a new battleground against “Big Tech,” this time targeting Apple. The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX launched a scathing accusation of antitrust violations, asserting that Apple’s App Store policies unfairly disadvantage his AI chatbot, Grok, developed by xAI.
Apple’s App Store Under Fire
On Monday night, **Musk** declared on X (formerly Twitter) that Apple’s practices create an insurmountable barrier for AI companies other than OpenAI to achieve top rankings in the App Store. He labeled this as an “unequivocal antitrust violation” and declared that “xAI will take immediate legal action.”
“Apple is behaving in a manner that makes it impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach #1 in the App Store, which is an unequivocal antitrust violation.
xAI will take immediate legal action.”
—Elon Musk
**Musk** did not detail the specific legal strategy but initiated his public critique earlier, questioning Apple’s App Store curation. He queried why his platform 𝕏, which he claims is the world’s number one news application, and Grok, ranked fifth among all apps, are excluded from Apple’s “Must Have” section. He speculated whether political motivations were at play.
A review by Gizmodo confirmed ChatGPT’s prominent position as the top free app in the U.S. iOS App Store. Furthermore, ChatGPT is the sole AI chatbot featured within Apple’s curated “Must-Have Apps” list, fueling **Musk**’s claims of bias.
“And why is ChatGPT literally in every list where you have editorial control?”
—Elon Musk
**Musk** pointed to Apple’s recent partnership with OpenAI, announced in June 2024, which integrates ChatGPT into Apple devices via Siri and system-wide writing tools. This collaboration grants OpenAI’s chatbot significant visibility among hundreds of millions of Apple users.
**Musk**, a co-founder of OpenAI who departed the organization, has become a vocal critic. His company, xAI, launched Grok in late 2023 as an “edgy” AI alternative, with Grok integrated directly into the X platform.
A New Antitrust Arena
This confrontation escalates **Musk**’s ongoing disputes with tech giants, adding to a list that includes lawsuits and accusations of political bias. His challenge to Apple reignites long-standing antitrust concerns surrounding the tech giant’s App Store policies, which have previously drawn scrutiny from developers like Epic Games and regulators worldwide.
Critics argue that Apple’s control over its digital marketplace constitutes an illegal monopoly. **Musk** is now applying these arguments to the burgeoning AI sector, focusing on Apple’s editorial power to elevate certain applications while potentially suppressing competitors. For emerging AI companies like xAI, such prominent placement can be crucial for market penetration.
The tech mogul contends that Apple’s favored treatment of ChatGPT reflects an anti-competitive relationship with OpenAI. Apple has not yet provided a comment regarding these accusations.
Analysis
This move by **Musk** appears to be a classic aggressive negotiation tactic. By publicly challenging Apple with strong accusations, he aims to force a response or concession. The critical question now is whether Apple will engage with his claims or dismiss them as a bluff.
