Elon Musk Accuses Apple of Antitrust Violation Over ChatGPT App Store Dominance

Apple is facing new scrutiny in the AI space as Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and founder of xAI, threatens legal action against the tech giant if it does not remove OpenAI’s ChatGPT from the top of the App Store rankings. Musk accused Apple of implementing an algorithm that “makes it impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach 1 in the App Store,” calling it a “clear antitrust violation.” He specifically cited the case of Grok, the AI chatbot developed by xAI, which currently ranks sixth, far behind ChatGPT’s top spot [1].

Musk’s criticisms came via X, the platform he acquired in 2022, where he questioned Apple’s editorial decisions, particularly why X and Grok were excluded from Apple’s “Must Have” category. He further pointed to Apple’s partnership with OpenAI, announced in June 2024, which deepens the integration of ChatGPT into Apple’s ecosystem. Musk suggested that Apple’s favoritism is stifling fair competition and could lead to legal consequences if no changes are made [1].

Apple has yet to publicly address Musk’s claims. However, the company has historically defended its App Store policies as necessary to maintain user experience, security, and quality. This stance has come under increasing legal pressure, including a U.S. court ruling that found Apple in violation of antitrust orders earlier in 2025. The European Union also fined Apple €500 million in April for anti-competitive behavior, though Apple is appealing the decision [1].

The issue at hand extends beyond one AI app. App Store rankings have significant implications for the adoption and success of emerging technologies. With over a billion iPhone users globally, visibility in Apple’s platform can determine whether a new product gains traction or remains obscure. Musk’s xAI, which includes Grok, aims to offer a more transparent and less censored alternative to ChatGPT, positioning itself as a direct competitor in the AI chatbot market [1].

The debate also underscores the growing tension between platform gatekeepers and independent developers in the AI sector. Apple’s App Store algorithm has long been criticized for its lack of transparency, and Musk’s public challenge may prompt further scrutiny from regulators and competitors. If other AI startups echo similar concerns, the pressure on Apple to revise its ranking policies could intensify.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman quickly responded to Musk’s accusations, countering that Musk himself has been accused of using X to manipulate outcomes in his favor. Altman’s remarks highlight the aggressive and often contentious nature of competition in the AI industry, where market dominance is increasingly tied to platform visibility [1].

Despite the claims, some industry observers remain skeptical. For instance, DeepSeek, an AI chatbot from China, did reach the top of the App Store in January 2025, months after Apple’s partnership with OpenAI was announced. This suggests that Apple’s algorithm may not be entirely controlling rankings, and that other factors—such as user demand and app performance—still play a role. However, the lack of concrete evidence from Musk regarding Apple’s alleged manipulation has left the issue unresolved [1].

The broader implications of this dispute could shape how digital marketplaces handle AI development, app curation, and competition. If Musk follows through on his legal threats, it may set a precedent for future challenges against platform gatekeeping in the AI industry. For now, Apple remains silent, but the stakes are high in a race where visibility on the world’s most used smartphone platform can make or break a product’s success.

Source:

[1] Elon Musk Threatens Lawsuit Against Apple Over ChatGPT App Store Ranking

https://fortune.com/2025/08/12/elon-musk-threatens-lawsuit-apple-chatgpt-app-store-ranking/