Elon Musk is making headlines again in his ongoing showdown with Big Tech, shifting the focus to Apple. Just days ago, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX took to his platform to accuse Apple of antitrust violations, claiming its App Store policies unfairly hinder his AI chatbot, Grok, developed by xAI. He believes that these policies favor competitors like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. “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 stated on X.
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.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 12, 2025
Musk’s legal strategy remains unclear, but he seemed to be laying the groundwork for potential litigation. Earlier that evening, he questioned, “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 revealed that ChatGPT currently holds the top spot as the No. 1 free app in the U.S. iOS App Store, and it is the only AI chatbot featured in Apple’s “Must-Have Apps” section.
Musk interprets this as evidence of bias, questioning Apple’s editorial choices. He added, “And why is ChatGPT literally in every list where you have editorial control?”
And why is ChatGPT literally in every list where you have editorial control?
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 12, 2025
Apple’s partnership with OpenAI, announced in June 2024, facilitated the integration of ChatGPT into Apple devices, providing unprecedented visibility and access to hundreds of millions of Apple users.
Having co-founded OpenAI in 2015, Musk’s departure in 2018 sharpened his stance against the company. His startup, xAI, rolled out Grok in late 2023, presenting it as a bold alternative to mainstream chatbots, directly integrated into X.
Musk’s Antitrust Claims
This confrontation signals the dawn of a significant antitrust battle. Apple has long faced scrutiny from developers and regulatory bodies in the U.S. and Europe, with many alleging that its App Store monopolizes control by favoring certain apps over others. Musk’s complaint strategically challenges Apple’s authority to prioritize certain AI services, which can endanger emerging companies like xAI.
Musk perceives Apple’s promotion of ChatGPT as an example of an uncomfortably beneficial relationship with OpenAI, one that raises serious questions about competitive practices.
Despite repeated attempts, Apple has not yet commented on this matter.
What This Means for AI and Tech Competitors
Musk’s aggressive allegations play into his established playbook. By making bold claims and asserting his position, he’s forcing Apple to respond, presenting a high-stakes game of cat and mouse. The real question now: will Apple engage in this public conflict or allow Musk to dictate the conversation?
In the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and technology, these developments underline the importance of fair competition. As the battle brews, here are some questions you might be wondering:
Could Apple’s App Store policies truly violate antitrust laws?
Yes, many experts argue that if a company uses its platform power to favor certain products over others unfairly, it can be considered anticompetitive.
How does Apple’s partnership with OpenAI affect other AI companies?
This partnership grants OpenAI enhanced visibility on Apple’s platforms, which can disadvantage competitors like Musk’s xAI.
What are some implications for consumers in this AI landscape?
Consumers might face fewer choices if dominant players, like OpenAI, continue to monopolize app visibility and engagement on major platforms like the App Store.
The battle between Musk and Apple raises essential questions about privilege and equity in innovation. Join the conversation as we continue to explore the complexities of this tech showdown. For more information on tech trends and insights, visit Moyens I/O.