Elon Musk Accuses Apple of Antitrust Violations Amid AI Rivalry

Elon Musk has initiated plans for legal action against Apple, alleging that the tech company engages in anticompetitive behavior by favoring rival artificial intelligence (AI) firms in its App Store rankings. Musk claims that Apple’s practices hinder any AI company other than OpenAI from achieving the top position in the App Store. He stated, “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. xAI will take immediate legal action.”

This accusation, made on August 12, 2025, via a post on X, comes without any accompanying evidence. Nevertheless, it quickly prompted a response from OpenAI’s chief executive, Sam Altman. He remarked, “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.”

The rivalry between Musk and Altman highlights the competitive landscape of AI technology. Currently, according to a report by Reuters, OpenAI’s ChatGPT leads the “Top Free Apps” chart in the US App Store for iPhones. xAI’s Grok ranks fifth in the same category, while Google’s Gemini chatbot is positioned at 57th. Additionally, data from analytics firm Sensor Tower indicates that ChatGPT is also at the top of the Google Play Store charts.

In a potential conflict of interest, Apple recently entered into a partnership with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into its devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs. This relationship has raised questions about Apple’s promotional practices within its App Store.

Musk further questioned Apple’s editorial choices for App Store promotion, asking, “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?” His inquiry reflects a growing concern among developers regarding the transparency of Apple’s app ranking algorithms.

Legal Scrutiny Facing Apple

These accusations arrive during a period of increasing scrutiny over Apple’s dominance in the App Store. In April 2025, a US judge ruled that Apple had violated a court order intended to enhance competition within its app marketplace. This ruling has prompted federal prosecutors to investigate the matter for potential criminal contempt, following a case brought forth by Epic Games, the developer of the popular video game Fortnite.

Additionally, the European Union’s antitrust authority fined Apple $587 million in the same month, asserting that the company’s restrictions unlawfully prevented app developers from directing users to more affordable alternatives outside the App Store. This decision was framed within the context of the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which aims to foster fair competition among digital services.

As the legal battle between Musk and Apple unfolds, the implications for the tech industry remain significant. The outcome may set a precedent regarding how major platforms manage competition among emerging technologies, particularly in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.

While Musk’s claims have sparked a public dialogue concerning app store policies and antitrust laws, the ongoing scrutiny facing Apple underscores a larger conversation about fairness and competition in the digital marketplace.