Elon Musk cries antitrust as X & Grok can't compete with OpenAI on Apple's App Store

AppleInsider

Elon Musk says xAI will 'take immediate legal action' against Apple, which allegedly favors ChatGPT and OpenAI by never featuring Grok or X in the App Store.

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Elon Musk wants Apple to feature X

X is a social media app that has reached number one in the top free news apps and is number 38 in the top free apps list. Grok is number six in the free list rankings.

However, these rankings aren't good enough for Elon Musk, who is threatening legal action against Apple for alleged antitrust violations. He states that Apple's work with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into iOS while snubbing Grok is a sign that Apple has a bias and will never allow Grok or X to reach number 1.

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.

xAI will take immediate legal action.

-- Elon Musk (@elonmusk)

August 12, 2025

Musk continues his arguments via several quote posts of various accounts on X repeating the claims. He shares "what choice do we have?" and argues that the lack of support in the "Must Have" section shows Apple is "playing politics."

A post shared by Musk also makes the claim that users should be able to choose which AI is available on the platform, like choosing Grok over ChatGPT. However, it isn't known whether that limitation is because Apple has failed to engage in conversation with xAI, or if xAI is unwilling to meet Apple's strict privacy requirements for operating AI on its platform.

AppleInsider has reached out to Apple for comment.

X isn't a news app, and Grok is fairly popular anyway

The tirade against Apple seems to be an odd one, given the relative success of both apps. X, formerly Twitter, is clinging onto an enthusiastic user base that are generally hardcore Musk supporters, celebrities, and athletes.

It is unclear why the social media app is in the news category in the App Store, considering it's not a reliable resource for news beyond journalists you can follow. It ranks above other social networks in the news section -- Reddit and Nextdoor.

Perhaps choosing the news category is a play that will ensure the app is ranked number one when it couldn't compete on equal ground with Threads, WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, and other juggernauts. X just isn't what Twitter was as its human audience shrunk significantly after the Musk takeover, and some studies show a majority of traffic on X is bots.

On the other hand, Grok is a competitive AI platform that has proven popular even outside of Musk's circle of raving followers. In spite of its recent "Mecha Hitler" meltdown, Grok remains number six on the App Store overall and number two in productivity, behind ChatGPT.

X shrunk to more than a third of its size after killing Twitter brand

These ranking systems are purely numeric and aren't manipulated by Apple in any way. Musk claims that Apple is artificially limiting his apps' ability to rank higher than competitors like ChatGPT -- which isn't the case.

Musk also takes issue with the apps promoted in the "Must-Have Apps" section on the App Store. This area showcases TikTok, Tinder, Duolingo, and Youtube on the front page, with a big "Try Now" widget for ChatGPT.

Grok isn't shown in any of the promotional, human-curated areas of the App Store. Productivity sections focus on email and notes apps with no sign of Grok or ChatGPT in these areas.

In social apps like Mastodon, Bluesky, Signal, Pinterest, and Snapchat are promoted in "Essential Social Apps." X is nowhere to be found in social or news human-curated sections.

Another round of Apple versus Musk

Monday isn't the first time Apple and Musk have crossed paths. The controversial figure has previously shared misinformation about Apple and OpenAI's deal, likely in irritation about not being offered similar.

Musk also railed against Apple for not using his satellite service, not advertising on X (they've since returned under government pressure), and even fought against Apple's 30% commission.

Of course, Apple has no obligation to promote X or Grok. The stigma of those apps and the communities and controversies found on each are likely more than enough to drive Apple and its editorial staff far away from promoting either.

And if Musk wants to cry antitrust under the veil of consumer choice, perhaps he can look at allowing Tesla vehicles to run CarPlay. You know, in the name of freedom of choice.

It is difficult to ascertain exactly how the right-leaning government will react to such a lawsuit as it likely depends on the district of the lawsuit and the judge assigned. Apple also has a right to pick and choose with whom it chooses to do business with in the free market.



Read on AppleInsider

toroidal

Create new categories: 'X' a must have for misinformation apps, 'Grok' top choice in MechaHitler apps

daven

Meanwhile, Apple CarPlay isn’t even allowed on Teslas.

sflocal

daven said:

Meanwhile, Apple CarPlay isn’t even allowed on Teslas.

This was the first thing I thought of when I started reading.  Tesla's cars are a closed system.  Just like the Apple iPhone.  Tesla controls all software that runs in their cars.  Just like Apple's App Store.

Yet somehow Musk believes that Apple should be forced to open its ecosystem more.  I say allow Apple Play in your cars and then let's talk.

javert24601

sflocal said:

daven said:

Meanwhile, Apple CarPlay isn’t even allowed on Teslas.

This was the first thing I thought of when I started reading.  Tesla's cars are a closed system.  Just like the Apple iPhone.  Tesla controls all software that runs in their cars.  Just like Apple's App Store.

Yet somehow Musk believes that Apple should be forced to open its ecosystem more.  I say allow Apple Play in your cars and then let's talk.

You are making false equivalency.  Yes, Tesla's cars are a closed system.  The Apple iPhone, on the other hand, is a walled garden by the mere fact that it offers the App Store, where third party companies can write programs to run on the iPhone.  As such, Apple must treat all third party companies the same with identical rules.  If Apple isn't treating companies by the same rules and is actually showing preference to one company over another, then jilted companies have a legitimate complaint.  Teslas do not support both Android Auto nor Apple CarPlay, so you can say Tesla is treating all parties fairly.  I don't know enough about the App Store, e.g. if they offer developers different tiers of service, which may be extenuating circumstances.

danox

daven said:

Meanwhile, Apple CarPlay isn’t even allowed on Teslas.

Ironic,…..

danox

Javert24601 said:

sflocal said:

daven said:

Meanwhile, Apple CarPlay isn’t even allowed on Teslas.

This was the first thing I thought of when I started reading.  Tesla's cars are a closed system.  Just like the Apple iPhone.  Tesla controls all software that runs in their cars.  Just like Apple's App Store.

Yet somehow Musk believes that Apple should be forced to open its ecosystem more.  I say allow Apple Play in your cars and then let's talk.

You are making false equivalency.  Yes, Tesla's cars are a closed system.  The Apple iPhone, on the other hand, is a walled garden by the mere fact that it offers the App Store, where third party companies can write programs to run on the iPhone.  As such, Apple must treat all third party companies the same with identical rules.  If Apple isn't treating companies by the same rules and is actually showing preference to one company over another, then jilted companies have a legitimate complaint.  Teslas do not support both Android Auto nor Apple CarPlay, so you can say Tesla is treating all parties fairly.  I don't know enough about the App Store, e.g. if they offer developers different tiers of service, which may be extenuating circumstances.

Intel and Tesla make a good pair of crybabies both want Apple to give them something. Barrett the former CEO wants the federal government to make Apple give Intel money.

https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/former-intel-ceo-lays-out-radical-plan-to-rescue-the-company-suggests-outing-lip-bu-tan-and-asks-for-usd40-billion-investment-to-bolster-american-manufacturing

michelb76

Well, he just needs to spam his name and description with competitor keywords and buy ads on competitor names to get a higher ranking. At least that's what the scummy apps have been successfully doing for years.

sconosciuto

Shut uo Elon, you’re high again

quakerotis

ld pay $4.20 for a pay per view of him self-immolating

thedba

So let me get this straight.

Musk had absolutely no problem when US administrations (both Biden and Trump) kept tariffs high for Chinese imported cars (mostly BYD). 

But now Musk has a problem with Apple not promoting his malware front and center. 

Par for the course when it comes to him.

BTW Elon, is the Roadster with 1000km range coming any time soon?

Are we going to Mars next year?

Can your Starship carry anything more than a banana to "not orbit" and have it explode over the Indian ocean?  

But sure, we can all rely on Grok, to tell us who the real founder(s) of Tesla is (are). 

steve humiston

Javert24601 said:

sflocal said:

daven said:

Meanwhile, Apple CarPlay isn’t even allowed on Teslas.

This was the first thing I thought of when I started reading.  Tesla's cars are a closed system.  Just like the Apple iPhone.  Tesla controls all software that runs in their cars.  Just like Apple's App Store.

Yet somehow Musk believes that Apple should be forced to open its ecosystem more.  I say allow Apple Play in your cars and then let's talk.

You are making false equivalency.  Yes, Tesla's cars are a closed system.  The Apple iPhone, on the other hand, is a walled garden by the mere fact that it offers the App Store, where third party companies can write programs to run on the iPhone.  As such, Apple must treat all third party companies the same with identical rules.  If Apple isn't treating companies by the same rules and is actually showing preference to one company over another, then jilted companies have a legitimate complaint.  Teslas do not support both Android Auto nor Apple CarPlay, so you can say Tesla is treating all parties fairly.  I don't know enough about the App Store, e.g. if they offer developers different tiers of service, which may be extenuating circumstances.

Maybe, but GROK isn't and he's trying to create an AI that lies and uses misinformation so he's LEADING it that way. In much the same was as the APPLE STORE leads me to Chatgpt.

ddawson100

Musk hates free speech.

nubus

Javert24601 said:
Tesla's cars are a closed system.  The Apple iPhone, on the other hand, is a walled garden by the mere fact that it offers the App Store, where third party companies can write programs to run on the iPhone.  As such, Apple must treat all third party companies the same with identical rules.

Seems you want Apple to feature a product doing NSFW personas while praising Hitler and delivering lethal medical advice? That won't happen!
The legal landscape in the US doesn't force Apple, Disney, Sony, or anyone to else sell, distribute, or feature products from Musk.

ts007

File suit against Tesla for not allowing CarPlay Ultra as a choice….

anonymouse

Well, a few more gold bars from Tim Apple and Trump will strip Musk of his citizenship and deport him. Good riddance! 🤣

avidthinker

Cry me a river HAHAHAHAHA

tiredskills

Funny, I was thinking just yesterday that Elmo hadn't been in the news much recently.  Guess he was missing the attention.

eightzero

He really is a low IQ person.