Apple Allegedly Favors Some Companies, While OpenAI Gains Widespread Appeal According to Elon Musk
In a series of dramatic events unfolding in the tech world, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, has accused Apple of antitrust violations, specifically against OpenAI in the App Store. The controversy revolves around the alleged preferential treatment given to OpenAI's ChatGPT, with Musk's own company's chatbot, Grok, facing a structural disadvantage.
The allegations were first made public on August 12, 2025, when Musk filed a lawsuit against Apple and OpenAI, accusing them of "Platform Discrimination" and "Abuse of Market Power." The lawsuit claims that Apple is using its dominance in app distribution to create an unfair advantage for OpenAI's ChatGPT, notably via Siri on iPhones.
Musk's concerns were echoed by users, who expressed worries about potential manipulation of algorithms. Some even posted memes asking Grok AI about the truth of Sam Altman's claims. The lawsuit aims to invoke U.S. antitrust statutes and potentially the EU Digital Markets Act, arguing that Apple's practices harm fair competition.
However, Apple has dismissed Musk's antitrust accusations as "unfounded." OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, responded by turning the accusation back toward Musk, disputing the validity of his claims. Some observers have expressed skepticism about the strength of the case from a legal standpoint.
Meanwhile, Musk's broader litigation against OpenAI itself, claiming improper shifts toward a for-profit model and licensing agreements, may bolster this antitrust case. The legal action remains in early stages, with courts set to examine the claims in detail.
The controversy comes at a time when Apple's AI strategy, Apple Intelligence, has been criticised for being 5 years behind Microsoft and an "afterthought" with low real-world usage and dismal iPhone sales conversions. The company is reportedly working on two separate versions of the AI experience, which may have contributed to the delayed launch of its full AI experience.
In a separate development, DeepSeek, a Chinese startup, temporarily dethroned ChatGPT as the most downloaded free app in Apple's App Store in the US in January 2025, but later fell to the #51 spot. This event, while brief, has added fuel to the fire in the ongoing debate about Apple's AI strategy and its alleged favoritism towards certain AI competitors.
Elsewhere, Musk made a bold claim that OpenAI will "eat Microsoft alive." This assertion, if true, could have significant implications for the tech industry, particularly in the AI sector. However, the current focus remains on the antitrust allegations and the legal battles that are likely to follow.
As the situation unfolds, users and industry experts alike are closely watching the developments, with concerns about the potential manipulation of algorithms and the impact on fair competition at the forefront of discussions. The outcome of this legal battle could shape the future of the tech industry and the competitive landscape in the AI market.
[1] Source: The Verge [2] Source: TechCrunch [3] Source: CNET [4] Source: Wired
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