Musk takes legal action against Apple over App Store ranking

Elon Musk escalates a public dispute with Apple, accusing bias against OpenAI and threatening legal action over App Store rankings.

Musk challenges Apple over App Store ranking with antitrust claims

Elon Musk used X to claim that Apple favors OpenAI in App Store rankings and that the bias makes it hard for any AI company other than OpenAI to reach the top spot. He said xAI would pursue immediate legal action and argued that the situation constitutes an unequivocal antitrust violation. At the time of reporting, OpenAI’s ChatGPT is ranked first on the App Store while Grok sits at fifth; Apple and xAI did not respond to requests for comment.

Sam Altman pushed back on Monday, describing Musk’s claim as remarkable and saying OpenAI would stay focused on making great products. The history between Musk and OpenAI includes Musk’s departure from the OpenAI board, past lawsuits against OpenAI, and ongoing public sparring with Apple over policies and fees tied to the App Store. The dispute adds to a broader pattern of high profile clashes between Musk and major tech platforms, including past criticisms of Apple’s 30 percent commission and concerns about censorship on Twitter.

The episode underscores how platform power can shape competition in AI and software markets. By turning a product ranking issue into a legal threat, Musk tests the boundaries of antitrust rhetoric in a space where regulators are watching closely. It also highlights how public disputes involving celebrity founders can spill into policy debates and investor sentiment, regardless of product outcomes. Apple faces questions about transparency and perceived bias, while OpenAI and its rivals watch how the public conversation evolves and whether it translates into real regulatory or market frictions.

Highlights

The next moves will test how far tech giants can press disputes in public forums before courts decide the limits of platform power.