Tesla and X (formerly Twitter) CEO Elon Musk has escalated his feud with Apple, threatening “immediate” legal action against the tech giant over what he claims are antitrust violations related to Apple’s control over its App Store ecosystem and integration of artificial intelligence.
In a series of posts on X, Musk accused Apple of engaging in monopolistic practices that stifle competition and innovation. His comments follow recent reports that Apple is deepening its integration of OpenAI’s ChatGPT into upcoming iOS software, potentially sidelining rival AI services including xAI, Musk’s own artificial intelligence venture.
“If Apple integrates OpenAI at the OS level without giving users a clear choice, devices will be banned at my companies. That is an unacceptable security violation,” Musk posted. “Legal action will be immediate.”
Musk’s criticisms center on two main issues: Apple’s longstanding control over app distribution through its App Store, and its increasing influence over default services embedded in iOS. He argues that Apple’s behavior violates antitrust laws by favoring its own services or partners while restricting access to competing platforms.
Apple has not publicly responded to Musk’s threats, though the company has historically defended its ecosystem as secure, privacy-focused, and beneficial to users. The tech giant also maintains that developers are free to compete within the App Store, provided they follow its guidelines.
Musk’s latest comments are part of a growing chorus of voices in Silicon Valley and Washington calling for greater scrutiny of Apple’s market dominance. The U.S. Department of Justice and European regulators have already launched antitrust investigations into Apple’s App Store and mobile business practices, with some accusing the company of gatekeeping the digital economy.
While Musk has previously clashed with Apple over App Store fees and content moderation policies, this latest dispute introduces a new layer of tension as competition heats up in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence sector. Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but later parted ways with the organization, has since launched xAI to develop an alternative to ChatGPT and other leading AI models.
His concern is that Apple’s deep integration of ChatGPT into iOS could give OpenAI a significant competitive advantage, making it harder for rival AI developers to gain visibility or access to users on Apple devices.
Legal experts say any case Musk brings would face a high bar, but could still draw public attention to ongoing concerns about big tech monopolies.
“Elon Musk’s threat adds fuel to an already burning fire,” said Sarah Grayson, a technology policy analyst at the Center for Digital Innovation. “Whether or not it results in a lawsuit, it will keep the pressure on regulators to take a closer look at Apple’s role in shaping the AI and app markets.”
With artificial intelligence becoming a defining battleground for tech dominance, the clash between two of the world’s most powerful companies — led by two of its most influential CEOs — may be just the beginning of a larger war over the future of software, privacy, and user control.
source: bbc.com