Musk Warns of Legal Action Against Apple Over App Store Rankings

Elon Musk is accusing Apple of suppressing competition within its App Store. On Monday, the billionaire said his artificial intelligence company, xAI, will file a lawsuit claiming Apple’s ranking practices violate U.S. antitrust laws.

“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 wrote on X, his social media platform. “xAI will take immediate legal action.” He did not present evidence to support the allegations.

Apple, OpenAI, and xAI have so far remained silent on the matter. At present, OpenAI’s ChatGPT ranks first among free iPhone apps in the U.S., while xAI’s Grok holds the fifth position. According to Sensor Tower data, Google’s Gemini chatbot trails far behind in 57th place. ChatGPT also leads the rankings on the Google Play Store.

Partnership and Market Tensions

Apple has a partnership with OpenAI that integrates ChatGPT directly into iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Adding to the tension, Musk challenged Apple’s app curation, questioning why it excludes X and Grok from its “Must Have” list despite X being the world’s top news app and Grok ranking fifth overall. “Are you playing politics?” he asked in another post.

The dispute comes amid mounting global scrutiny of Apple’s control over its App Store. n April, a U.S. judge found Apple in violation of a court order that mandated increased competition and referred the company to federal prosecutors for a criminal contempt probe in a lawsuit filed by Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite. At roughly the same time, European regulators fined Apple €500 million (approximately $587 million) for limiting developers’ ability to direct customers to more affordable deals outside the App Store, breaching the EU’s Digital Markets Act.

Summary: 

Musk’s legal threat against Apple adds fresh fuel to the ongoing debate over the App Store’s fairness and competitive balance. With regulators in the U.S. and Europe already challenging Apple’s practices, the outcome of xAI’s potential lawsuit could have significant implications for AI startups, app developers, and the broader mobile software market.

FAQs on Musk’s Legal Threat Against Apple

1. Why is Elon Musk threatening to sue Apple?

Musk claims Apple’s App Store ranking system makes it nearly impossible for any AI company other than OpenAI to secure the top position, calling it an antitrust violation. He alleges this practice suppresses fair competition.

2. What is xAI?

xAI is Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, positioned as a competitor to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and other AI models. Its chatbot, Grok, is currently available through Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) platform.

3. How are AI chatbots ranked in the App Store?

Apple ranks apps in its “Top Free Apps” list based on downloads, user engagement, and other undisclosed factors. Currently, ChatGPT ranks #1 in the U.S., Grok is at #5, and Google’s Gemini is #57.

4. Does Apple have a partnership with OpenAI?

Yes. Apple has integrated OpenAI’s ChatGPT into its devices, including iPhones, iPads, and Macs, which some critics say gives OpenAI an advantage over competitors.

5. Has Apple faced similar antitrust issues before?

Yes. In April, a U.S. judge found Apple in violation of a court order intended to boost competition, referring the matter to federal prosecutors. The same month, the European Union fined Apple €500 million for restricting developers from directing customers to cheaper deals outside the App Store.

6. What could happen if Musk’s lawsuit moves forward?

If xAI proceeds with legal action and wins, it could force Apple to change its App Store ranking and curation policies, potentially reshaping competition for AI apps worldwide.