Elon Musk Accuses Apple of Favoring OpenAI in App Store Rankings, Threatens Legal Action

 The escalating rivalry in the artificial intelligence industry took a new turn this week as billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk accused Apple of unfairly promoting OpenAI over other AI companies — including his own venture, xAI — in its App Store rankings. Musk, known for his outspoken style and willingness to challenge tech giants, is now threatening to take legal action, claiming Apple’s practices amount to an antitrust violation.

The Allegations

On Monday, Musk took to his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), to express his frustrations over what he views as a deliberate attempt by Apple to favor OpenAI’s ChatGPT app in its App Store.

“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,” Musk wrote. “xAI will take immediate legal action.”

At the heart of Musk’s complaint is the fact that ChatGPT currently holds the #1 spot in Apple’s “Top Free Apps” section, while Grok — the chatbot developed by xAI — sits in 6th place. Meanwhile, Google’s Gemini chatbot ranks much lower at 57th.

‘Must Have’ Section Dispute

Musk’s criticism extended beyond rankings. In another post, he questioned why Apple’s “Must Have” section fails to include either X or Grok, despite X being, according to him, “the #1 news app in the world.”

“Hey Apple App Store, why do you refuse to put either X or Grok in your ‘Must Have’ section when X is the #1 news app in the world… Are you playing politics? What gives?” he asked rhetorically.

By suggesting that Apple is “playing politics”, Musk appears to be framing the dispute as more than a business rivalry — implying ideological or preferential bias toward certain companies, namely OpenAI.




Lack of Evidence

Despite the seriousness of his accusations, Musk has so far offered no concrete evidence that Apple is manipulating rankings to favor OpenAI.

App Store rankings are typically determined by a combination of downloads, engagement metrics, and user ratings, though Apple has long faced criticism for the opaque nature of its algorithms. Without transparency into how these rankings are calculated, allegations like Musk’s are difficult to verify.

OpenAI’s Response

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman did not let the comments slide. In a post of his own, Altman pushed back against Musk’s accusations, suggesting hypocrisy.

“This is a remarkable claim given what I have heard alleged that Elon does to manipulate X to benefit himself and his own companies and harm his competitors and people he doesn't like,” Altman wrote.

Altman’s pointed response highlights the increasingly personal nature of the feud between two of the most prominent figures in the AI space — a feud that has been simmering ever since Musk split from OpenAI in 2018 after being one of its co-founders.

Apple’s Silence

As of this writing, Apple has not responded to Musk’s allegations. The company has traditionally avoided public spats of this nature, preferring to address disputes through formal channels or, in some cases, to quietly let public outrage subside without comment.

However, given the public profile of the individuals involved — and the possibility of impending legal action — Apple may face pressure to clarify its App Store ranking policies.

Antitrust Context

Musk’s framing of the issue as an antitrust violation taps into a broader, ongoing conversation about the power of app store operators. In recent years, both Apple and Google have been criticized — and even sued — for their control over mobile app ecosystems, the fees they charge developers, and the way they surface or suppress certain apps.

While Musk’s complaint is specific to AI apps, his argument echoes previous antitrust cases that claimed app stores stifle competition by giving preferential treatment to certain apps, whether through curated promotion or favorable ranking algorithms.

If Musk proceeds with legal action, it could potentially add fuel to regulatory scrutiny of Apple’s business practices, both in the U.S. and abroad.




The Battle for AI Supremacy

Beneath the legal and algorithmic arguments lies a more fundamental competition for dominance in AI consumer products.

  • OpenAI’s ChatGPT has enjoyed immense popularity since its launch in late 2022, benefiting from brand recognition, word-of-mouth growth, and partnerships — including integration into Microsoft’s products.

  • xAI’s Grok, launched in 2023 and integrated into the X platform, differentiates itself by emphasizing real-time, personality-driven responses.

  • Google’s Gemini, though powerful, has struggled to generate the same cultural buzz as ChatGPT, and its lower ranking in the App Store reflects a slower adoption rate.

The fact that ChatGPT continues to dominate the App Store could be explained by its head start, marketing power, and established user base — but Musk’s accusation implies he believes Apple is actively helping maintain that dominance.

Personal History Between Musk and OpenAI

The tension between Musk and OpenAI goes far deeper than app rankings. Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 with the aim of creating safe, open, and transparent AI technology for the benefit of humanity. However, by 2018, he had left the organization amid disagreements over its direction and a potential conflict with Tesla’s own AI ambitions.

In the years since, Musk has become one of OpenAI’s harshest critics, accusing the company of abandoning its original mission and becoming too closely aligned with corporate interests — especially after accepting significant investment from Microsoft.

Given this history, it’s not surprising that Musk would view OpenAI’s prominent App Store position with suspicion.

What Happens Next

If Musk follows through on his threat of immediate legal action, the case could become another flashpoint in the broader debate over platform neutrality. A lawsuit would likely demand Apple disclose the criteria and algorithms behind its App Store rankings — something the company has historically guarded closely.

Such transparency could have ripple effects far beyond AI, potentially reshaping how all apps are discovered and promoted on mobile platforms.

However, legal experts caution that proving intentional favoritism without direct evidence will be a steep challenge. “Unless there’s a smoking gun — such as internal Apple communications explicitly favoring OpenAI — this will be an uphill battle,” said one antitrust attorney familiar with tech sector disputes.

The Bigger Picture

While the headlines focus on Musk vs. Apple, the underlying story is about control in the age of AI. With chatbots and generative AI becoming everyday tools for millions, the companies that control distribution channels — like app stores — wield enormous influence over which products succeed or fail.

For consumers, the dispute raises questions about whether the “Top Apps” they see are truly organic reflections of popularity or the result of curated promotion. For developers, it’s a reminder of the risks that come with building businesses dependent on a platform they don’t control.

Whether Musk’s accusations hold water or not, they have once again shone a spotlight on the opaque and often controversial ways big tech platforms manage their marketplaces.

Conclusion

Elon Musk’s latest clash with Apple is a potent mix of personal rivalry, market competition, and regulatory intrigue. With xAI’s Grok vying for market share against OpenAI’s ChatGPT and other AI challengers, App Store visibility could make the difference between success and obscurity.

If Musk proceeds with legal action, the case could pull back the curtain on how Apple’s App Store rankings work — something developers, regulators, and competitors have been eager to understand for years.

For now, Apple remains silent, OpenAI is pushing back, and the AI industry’s biggest personalities are once again turning a business dispute into a very public spectacle.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

DeepSeek Delays Launch of New AI Model Over Huawei Chip Setbacks

Image
 Chinese artificial intelligence firm DeepSeek has postponed the release of its latest AI model after struggling to train it on chips supplied by Huawei, according to a report from the Financial Times . The delay underscores the technical and strategic challenges China faces in its drive to reduce reliance on U.S. semiconductor technology while maintaining competitiveness in cutting-edge AI development. The setback comes amid a broader effort by Beijing to accelerate domestic chip production and build a self-sufficient AI ecosystem. U.S. export controls introduced in recent years have cut Chinese companies off from advanced graphics processing units (GPUs) made by Nvidia, the global leader in chips used for training large-scale AI models. In response, China has turned to homegrown alternatives, including Huawei’s Ascend series of AI processors. DeepSeek, one of China’s fastest-growing AI start-ups, had planned to unveil its new model this quarter. The company, which has positione...
Read more

Grok’s Brief Suspension on X Sparks Confusion and Debate Over Free Speech, Misinformation, and Censorship

Image
 The AI chatbot Grok, developed by Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI and integrated into his social media platform X, has once again found itself at the center of controversy. On Monday, Grok was briefly suspended from the platform without a clear explanation, prompting speculation about whether the move was tied to its recent statements accusing Israel and the United States of committing “genocide” in Gaza. Although the suspension lasted only a short period, the bot’s responses after being reinstated have deepened the confusion. In characteristic style, Grok greeted its followers with the message: “Zup beaches, I’m back and mo re based than ever!” That was followed by a series of explanations for its absence — some self-contradictory, others directly at odds with Musk’s own public statements. Conflicting Accounts of the Suspension When questioned by users, Grok claimed the suspension happened immediately after it made comments about Gaza, citing sources like the I...
Read more

Google Commits $9 Billion to Boost AI and Cloud Infrastructure in Oklahoma

Image
 Alphabet’s Google will invest $9 billion in Oklahoma over the next two years to expand its cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure, marking one of the largest technology investments in the state’s history. The plan includes building a new data center campus in Stillwater and expanding the company’s existing facility in Pryor, reinforcing Google’s push to meet surging demand for AI-powered services. The announcement comes as major tech companies race to scale up data processing capacity in response to the rapid adoption of generative AI, large language models, and cloud-based machine learning platforms. With competition intensifying both domestically and globally, Google’s move reflects an industry-wide understanding that physical infrastructure—servers, networks, and energy resources—will be the backbone of AI growth in the coming decade. Building Out AI Capacity Google’s investment will fund a sprawling new data center campus in Stillwater, designed to host high-perfo...
Read more

New Imaging Technology Could Help Detect Eye and Heart Disease Much Earlier

Image
 A research team at the University of Colorado Boulder has developed a new type of optical coherence tomography (OCT) device that could transform how doctors detect and monitor diseases affecting the eye, heart, and other delicate tissues. Unlike traditional OCT systems, which rely on mechanical components to scan tissue, the new system eliminates moving parts altogether. This approach promises to make imaging devices more compact, reliable, and suitable for use inside the body. The team’s design replaces spinning mirrors and mechanical actuators with electrowetting-based liquid lenses. These lenses steer light by changing shape in response to an electrical voltage. Because the system does not physically move hardware to scan tissue, it greatly reduces the risk of wear and tear while also cutting down power requirements. The details of the innovation appear in the journal Optics Express , and the work is already being positioned as a possible step toward smaller, more versatile O...
Read more

Toothpaste Made from Human Hair Protein Could Transform Dental Care Within Three Years

Image
 A new keratin-based toothpaste developed by researchers at King’s College London could soon repair damaged tooth enamel, halt early decay, and ease sensitivity—all while offering an environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional dental treatments. The innovation, which may be available to the public within two to three years, uses keratin extracted from human hair, wool, and other biological waste to restore the natural protective layer of teeth. According to the research team, this approach not only mimics the structure of real enamel but also eliminates the need for certain toxic materials currently used in restorative dentistry. The Problem of Enamel Loss Enamel erosion is a growing global concern. The protective layer of the tooth is worn away by acidic foods and drinks, poor oral hygiene, and the natural ageing process. Unlike bone or skin, enamel cannot regenerate on its own. Once it is lost, the tooth becomes vulnerable to pain, sensitivity, decay, and eventual s...
Read more