Musk plans to initiate immediate legal proceedings against Apple, accusing them of violating antitrust laws
In a significant turn of events, Elon Musk has formally accused Apple of antitrust violations related to the App Store rankings, alleging that the tech giant's system unfairly favors OpenAI's ChatGPT over rival AI apps like Musk's xAI's Grok chatbot.
Musk claims that Apple's partnership with OpenAI, embedding ChatGPT into iOS, iPadOS, and macOS features, grants OpenAI an unfair advantage that blocks competitors from reaching the top App Store rankings. This allegation was supported by a U.S. federal judge, who allowed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple to proceed in June 2025.
Apple, however, has officially denied these claims, stating that the App Store is designed to be fair and unbiased. The company maintains that app rankings rely on charts, algorithmic recommendations, and expert-curated lists based on objective criteria to provide safe discovery and opportunities for developers.
As of mid-August 2025, Musk's Grok chatbot ranks sixth in the U.S. App Store, while ChatGPT is at the top of free apps. In response, xAI has threatened to take "immediate legal action" if Apple does not remove OpenAI’s ChatGPT from the top rankings or change the system.
This dispute is ongoing, with formal litigation pending and Apple yet to comment beyond denials. It's important to note that Apple last year partnered with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into iPhone, iPad, Mac laptop and desktop products. The App Store also features a link to download OpenAI's new flagship AI model, ChatGPT-5, at the top of its "Apps" section. ChatGPT is currently the only AI chatbot in Apple's "Must-Have Apps" section.
This is not the first time Apple has faced antitrust scrutiny. Last year, the Department of Justice sued the company over charges of running an iPhone ecosystem monopoly. The ongoing legal battle adds another layer to Apple's regulatory challenges.
Status Summary:
- Lawsuit status: U.S. federal judge allowed antitrust lawsuit against Apple to proceed (June 2025)
- Musk’s claim: Apple’s App Store ranking system rigged to favor OpenAI’s ChatGPT, blocking xAI's Grok
- Apple’s response: Denies bias, claims App Store uses fair, objective criteria for rankings
- Current app rankings: ChatGPT #1 in free apps; Grok #6
- Legal threats: xAI threatening immediate legal action
- Broader context: Apple faces ongoing antitrust scrutiny in other high-profile cases
- The ongoing dispute between Elon Musk and Apple revolves around accusations that the tech giant's App Store rankings favor OpenAI's ChatGPT over rival AI apps such as Musk's xAI's Grok chatbot.
- Apple's alleged bias towards OpenAI has been a topic of discussion in the general news, with Musk claiming that this unfair advantage granted to ChatGPT is detrimental to competitors' visibility in the App Store.
- In the midst of this controversy, Apple's partnership with OpenAI has become a point of contention, as the integration of ChatGPT into Apple's iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and other products is seen as giving OpenAI an edge in the app markets and finance sector.
- The digital economy is closely watching this legal battle unfold, as the outcome could have significant implications for the role of artificial intelligence in the business world and the balance of power in the technology industry.
- Given the ongoing litigation, there remains uncertainty within the political sphere as well, with questions arising over the impact of this dispute on regulatory policies and the future of competition in the technology markets.
