Elon Musk Threatens Legal Action Against Apple Over Alleged App Store Antitrust Violations

Tech billionaire Elon Musk, founder of xAI, has announced plans to take legal action against Apple over claims that the tech giant’s App Store ranking system unfairly favors OpenAI’s ChatGPT over other AI applications.

In a statement posted on his social platform X, Musk accused Apple of engaging in anti-competitive practices that allegedly make it "impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach #1 in the App Store." He described the move as “an unequivocal antitrust violation,” adding that xAI will initiate immediate legal proceedings.

Apple and OpenAI Partnership Under Scrutiny

Apple’s current partnership with OpenAI integrates ChatGPT into iPhones, iPads, and Macs, giving millions of users instant access to the AI tool through native Apple apps. Musk, however, believes this partnership has tipped the scales in favor of OpenAI within the App Store’s Top Free Apps rankings.

Currently, ChatGPT occupies the number one spot in the U.S. App Store, while xAI’s chatbot Grok sits at fifth place. Musk questioned why neither X nor Grok is featured in Apple’s “Must Have” section despite their popularity — with X holding the title of the #1 news app worldwide.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Responds

Reacting to Musk’s claims, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman posted on X, suggesting Musk’s accusations were ironic given alleged claims about how Musk operates his own platform to “benefit himself and his own companies while harming competitors.”

Neither Apple, OpenAI, nor xAI have provided official statements to the press, according to Reuters.

Community Notes and Counterexamples

X users, via its Community Notes feature, have pointed out that Apple’s top spot has not been exclusively reserved for OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Other AI apps, such as DeepSeek, reached number one in January 2025, and Perplexity secured the top spot in India’s App Store in July — both instances occurring after Apple and OpenAI formalized their partnership.

Regulatory Pressure on Apple’s App Store Practices

Musk’s remarks arrive at a time when Apple’s App Store policies are already facing intense global scrutiny. Earlier this year, the European Union fined Apple €500 million ($581 million), accusing the company of restricting developers from directing users to external payment methods, which regulators deemed anti-competitive.

These legal challenges could add to the growing debate around Big Tech monopolies, app distribution fairness, and consumer choice in AI tools.

Final Thoughts

If Musk follows through with his lawsuit, it could reignite global discussions on App Store ranking transparency and AI competition laws. The outcome may set a precedent for how tech giants manage marketplaces that determine app visibility for billions of users.

For more updates on Apple antitrust news and developments in the AI industry, visit our Tech & AI News section.

Reuters

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