Elon Musk has announced that his AI startup, xAI, will take immediate legal action against Apple, claiming the company is guilty of antitrust violations. Musk alleges the App Store favors OpenAI’s ChatGPT, preventing competing AI apps like Grok and X from gaining fair visibility. He specifically criticized Apple’s omission of his apps from the “Must Have” section despite their high rankings.
Why Musk Is Angry
- Alleged Anti-Competitive Behavior: Musk argues that Apple’s actions make it nearly impossible for AI competitors to reach #1 in the App Store.
- App Rankings Discrepancy: Grok is currently ranked fifth, while ChatGPT holds the top spot. Despite Grok’s performance and X’s status as the #1 news app, neither are featured prominently in Apple’s editorial picks.
Wider Context
- Regulatory Pressure on Apple: The move comes amid heightened antitrust scrutiny. Earlier this year, a U.S. judge found Apple contempt in its Fortnite case, and the EU fined Apple €500 million under the Digital Markets Act for restricting app-developer freedoms.Reuters
- Musk vs. Altman Rivalry: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman fired back, accusing Musk of manipulating his own platform, X, to boost his visibility—adding yet another layer to their ongoing feud.
What’s Next
- Legal Action Pending: Musk has yet to provide specifics or file formal court documents. It remains unclear whether xAI will follow through with a formal lawsuit or pursue a settlement.
- Apple’s Response: As of now, Apple has remained silent, offering no comment on Musk’s accusations.
In summary, Musk is escalating his long-standing rivalry with both Apple and OpenAI, leveraging antitrust claims to challenge perceived favoritism in the App Store—and signaling the opening shots of a potentially drawn-out legal and public showdown.
