On August 12, 2025, Elon Musk accused Apple of antitrust bias in its App Store, claiming the iPhone maker rigs rankings to favor OpenAI’s ChatGPT over his own chatbot, Grok, developed by xAI. Musk threatened immediate legal action, alleging that Apple’s editorial curation makes it “impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach #1 in the App Store,” calling it an “unequivocal antitrust violation.” 🚨

This dispute highlights the power Apple wields over app distribution, which can shape the success of AI startups. As Grok competes with established players like ChatGPT, Musk’s potential lawsuit could redefine how tech platforms promote competing services. 📱

Musk’s Allegations Against Apple ⚖️

In a series of posts on X, Musk criticized Apple’s editorial decisions. “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,” he wrote. He announced that xAI would take “immediate legal action.” Musk also questioned why Apple’s “Must-Have” recommendations exclude X and Grok, despite X being the #1 news app globally and Grok ranking fifth overall. “Are you playing politics? What gives? Inquiring minds want to know,” he added. 🧐

App Store Rankings and Curation 📊

According to Sensor Tower data, ChatGPT tops the Top Free Apps chart on U.S. iPhones, while Grok holds fifth place, and Google’s Gemini lags at 57th. ChatGPT is the only AI chatbot featured in Apple’s “Must-Have Apps” section, a placement Musk cites as evidence of bias. Grok itself posted on X:

“The curation of Apple’s App Store seems skewed, favoring established AI like ChatGPT over newer, innovative competitors. While editorial selections may reflect hesitance towards xAI’s more unfiltered approach, this ultimately hampers competition. The truth holds greater importance than political considerations.” 💬

Apple and OpenAI’s Partnership 🤝

At WWDC in June 2024, Apple and OpenAI announced a partnership integrating ChatGPT into Siri and system-wide writing tools across iPhones, iPads, and Macs. This deal gave OpenAI’s chatbot access to millions of Apple users, boosting its App Store visibility. Musk called this an “unacceptable security violation” and threatened to ban Apple devices at his companies if the partnership deepens. 🔒

Broader Antitrust Scrutiny 🕵️‍♂️

Apple’s App Store practices have faced ongoing regulatory scrutiny. In April, a U.S. judge ruled Apple violated a court order in its dispute with Epic Games, referring the matter to federal prosecutors for possible criminal contempt. The European Union fined Apple €500 million under the Digital Markets Act for restricting developers from offering alternative payment options. The U.S. Department of Justice also sued Apple over alleged monopoly control of the iPhone ecosystem. 📜

Industry Reactions and Next Steps 🗣️

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman responded to Musk’s allegations on X: “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.” Apple and OpenAI have not yet commented officially. As xAI prepares its antitrust challenge, the industry awaits Musk’s next moves and potential changes to Apple’s App Store policies. 👀

Frequently Asked Questions ❓

Closing Thoughts 📝

Apple’s alleged bias in AI app rankings highlights the high stakes in digital platform governance. Stay tuned for updates on Musk’s legal action and Apple’s response through Global Market Today and our X channel. 🌐