Elon Musk’s AI Startup X.AI Takes Legal Action Against Apple Over App Store Practices
Elon Musk, the American billionaire and tech entrepreneur, announced on August 12, 2025, that his artificial intelligence startup, X.AI, plans to sue Apple. Musk accused Apple of violating antitrust laws by allegedly manipulating the App Store rankings to favor OpenAI’s ChatGPT, making it nearly impossible for other AI companies to secure the top spot.
Musk Alleges Market Manipulation Favoring OpenAI’s ChatGPT
In a post published on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Musk stated: "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. X.AI will take immediate legal action." However, Musk did not provide concrete evidence to support his claims.
Current App Store Rankings Spotlight ChatGPT’s Dominance
Presently, OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot holds the number one position in the "Top Free Apps" category on the iPhone App Store in the United States. In contrast, X.AI’s own chatbot app, Grok, occupies the fifth spot, while Google's Gemini chatbot ranks much lower at 57. ChatGPT also leads in Google Play Store rankings according to data from Sensor Tower.
Apple’s Partnership With OpenAI
Apple maintains a strategic partnership with OpenAI, integrating ChatGPT’s functionalities directly into its devices. This collaboration has contributed to ChatGPT’s strong presence in Apple’s ecosystem, further fueling Musk’s accusations of unfair favoritism.
Responses and Industry Reactions
Requests for comments from Apple, OpenAI, and X.AI were not immediately answered. Industry analysts observe that while Apple has faced antitrust scrutiny in various markets, including recent regulatory actions and fines in the European Union, direct evidence of ranking manipulation remains unconfirmed. The evolving legal battle will spotlight the dynamics between dominant tech players and emerging competitors in the booming AI application market.
Legal and Competitive Implications
Musk’s legal challenge throws a spotlight on the broader debate over App Store control, market fairness, and antitrust issues in the digital economy. The outcome could have major implications for app developers, AI innovators, and platform policies worldwide, especially as artificial intelligence apps become essential tools for millions of users globally.