Elon Musk Threatens Legal Action Against Apple Over App Store “Bias” Towards OpenAI
Elon Musk is escalating his ongoing feud with Apple,announcing via X (formerly Twitter) on August 12,2025,that his companies will pursue “immediate legal action.” This move stems from MuskS accusations that Apple is unfairly favoring OpenAI’s ChatGPT within the iOS App Store, perhaps stifling competition from his own AI ventures, X and Grok.
The announcement, delivered without specific details on the legal strategy, follows a series of pointed public posts questioning Apple’s editorial decisions. Musk appears to be building a public case, framing the situation as a purposeful attempt to disadvantage his companies.
The Core of the Dispute
Musk’s frustration centers on the visibility afforded to ChatGPT within the app Store. He specifically questioned why X and Grok aren’t included in Apple’s “Must Have” app selections, despite X ranking as the #1 news app and Grok holding the #5 position overall.
He directly addressed Apple via X: “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 and grok is #5 among all apps? Are you playing politics? What gives? Inquiring minds want to know.”
A check by gizmodo confirms ChatGPT currently holds the top spot for free apps in the U.S. iOS App Store and is the sole AI chatbot featured in Apple’s curated “Must-Have Apps” section. Musk views this as evidence of bias, directly linking it to Apple’s partnership with OpenAI. He further questioned why ChatGPT consistently appears in Apple-curated lists, asking, “And why is ChatGPT literally in every list where you have editorial control?”
A History of Conflict
This isn’t a new battle for Musk. He co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but departed three years later following disagreements with the company’s direction. Since then,he’s become a vocal critic.
His AI company, xAI, launched Grok in late 2023, positioning it as a more “edgy” choice to mainstream chatbots. Grok is directly integrated into X, the social media platform Musk acquired in 2022. This dispute with apple adds to Musk’s growing list of legal challenges, public disagreements, and accusations of bias within the AI landscape.
A Potential Antitrust Battleground
Musk’s threat signals the potential start of a significant antitrust challenge. Apple has faced ongoing scrutiny and lawsuits – notably from epic Games - and investigations from regulators in the U.S. and Europe. These cases allege Apple’s control over the App Store constitutes an illegal monopoly.
Musk is now leveraging similar arguments within the context of the burgeoning AI market. His complaint focuses on Apple’s power to promote certain apps while demoting others through editorial curation. For a newer player like xAI, this preferential treatment can be a critical disadvantage. He believes Apple’s promotion of ChatGPT is a result of a potentially anti-competitive relationship with OpenAI.
Apple has not yet responded to requests for comment.
What This Means for You
This situation highlights the growing power dynamics within the AI industry and the potential for large tech companies to influence the market.As a user, you should be aware of how app store curation impacts the visibility of different AI tools.
Consider exploring a variety of AI options: don’t rely solely on apps promoted by app stores.
Be mindful of potential biases: Understand that editorial choices can influence your perception of available tools.
* Stay informed: Keep up-to-date on developments in the AI landscape and the challenges faced by different companies.
Our Take: A Familiar Playbook
This is a classic Elon Musk maneuver. He’s known for publicly challenging rivals and using strong rhetoric to force a response. He’s done this before, and the strategy often involves creating public pressure. Now, the question is whether Apple will engage with Musk’s demands or call his bluff. The outcome could significantly shape the competitive landscape of the AI app market.