Elon Musk has launched a scathing attack on Apple, alleging that the tech giant is engaging in anticompetitive behavior by favoring OpenAI’s ChatGPT within the App Store rankings and editorial features. Musk claims that Apple’s algorithmic and editorial decisions make it “impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach #1.”
The accusations come amid the rapid rise of xAI’s Grok, Musk’s own artificial intelligence chatbot, which recently surged into the top 10 free apps following its Grok 4 update and a shift to free access. Despite its popularity, Grok was noticeably absent from Apple’s “Must-Have” apps section—a move Musk interpreted as evidence of bias.
“Apple is clearly favoring ChatGPT in a way that violates fair competition,” Musk said via X (formerly Twitter). “xAI will be initiating legal action.”
Musk also expressed frustration that X (formerly Twitter)—which he describes as “the #1 news app in the world”—is similarly absent from prominent App Store placement, fueling claims of political and corporate favoritism.
Altman Responds
In a sharp rebuttal, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman fired back at Musk’s accusations, highlighting Musk’s own behavior on the X platform. Altman alleged that Musk used X’s algorithm to give himself preferential visibility.
“This is a remarkable claim,” Altman wrote. “Given what Elon has done to tilt X’s algorithm in his favor, this isn’t a discussion about fairness—this is about control.”
Altman added that OpenAI would remain focused on “building the best possible products,” steering the conversation away from corporate drama.
The App Store Controversy
Apple has not yet commented on the controversy, but the situation raises renewed questions about how App Store rankings and features are determined. ChatGPT, OpenAI’s flagship app, has consistently maintained top positions in the free app charts and is frequently featured in curated categories.
The Apple–OpenAI partnership has grown notably closer in recent months. ChatGPT is now integrated into key iOS and macOS features like Siri, Writing Tools, and Visual Intelligence, making the app near-ubiquitous for iPhone and Mac users. This relationship has prompted scrutiny from competitors like Musk, who argue it puts other AI platforms at a systemic disadvantage.
Legal Implications & Next Steps
Musk’s threat of legal action adds pressure to Apple, which is already under global scrutiny over its App Store practices. The European Union’s Digital Markets Act and U.S. regulators have both expressed interest in ensuring platform neutrality.
Legal experts note that while Musk’s case is not yet detailed publicly, any suit would likely hinge on proving Apple’s deliberate obstruction of fair competition and collusive favoritism toward OpenAI.
With AI now a central battlefield in big tech, Musk’s challenge could ignite broader discussions about how digital storefronts shape market dynamics in the age of artificial intelligence.
