Elon Musk Accuses Apple of Anti-Competitive Practices over AI Chatbot Rankings

Technology magnate Elon Musk has alleged Apple of anticompetitive practices, asserting that the tech giant intentionally stifled his AI venture Grok while favoring OpenAI’s ChatGPT in its App Store rankings.

Musk, CEO of Tesla and xAI, described Apple’s App Store practices as an “unequivocal antitrust violation” in a social media post on Monday evening. He also hinted at imminent legal action against the company. According to him, “Apple has created an environment that renders it impossible for any AI company other than OpenAI to claim the top spot in the App Store.”

The rankings on Apple’s App Store are significant for AI firms seeking to broaden their user base and market share. While Apple claims to take into account factors such as usability, positive ratings, and reviews, the company offers limited insight into its selection criteria.

In response to Musk’s accusations, Apple has maintained the impartiality of its platform. A spokesperson for the company stated, “We promote thousands of apps through charts, algorithmic recommendations, and lists curated by experts using objective criteria.”

“Our aim is to ensure a safe discovery experience for users while providing valuable opportunities for developers, working closely with many to boost app visibility in rapidly developing categories,” the spokesperson added.