US billionaire Elon Musk’s firms, social media platform X and artificial intelligence startup x AI, have filed a lawsuit against Apple and Open AI. The case, lodged in the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas, accuses the two companies of running an “anticompetitive scheme” aimed at blocking rivals in the AI sector.
According to the complaint, Apple allegedly favored OpenAI by integrating its ChatGPT chatbot into Apple devices while lowering the visibility of competing apps. Musk’s firms argued that Apple downgraded rivals like xAI’s Grok and other generative AI chatbots in its App Store rankings.
The lawsuit claimed that Apple and OpenAI “colluded” to maintain monopolies in the smartphone and AI markets. It added that unless the court stops this conduct, competition will continue to suffer, leaving innovators at a disadvantage.
Earlier this month, Musk wrote on X that he would sue Apple, calling its partnership with OpenAI “an unequivocal antitrust violation.” He argued that Apple’s strategy makes it nearly impossible for any AI competitor, except OpenAI, to reach the top position in the App Store.
Apple and OpenAI announced their partnership last year, introducing ChatGPT across iPhones, iPads, and Mac devices. Following the announcement, users noted through X’s Community Notes that rival chatbots like DeepSeek and Perplexity briefly ranked No. 1 in the App Store, fueling debate over fairness.
This lawsuit marks the latest chapter in the long-running dispute between Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but left in 2018 due to differences in direction. In 2023, he also sued Altman and OpenAI, alleging they shifted focus from public benefit to commercial gain.
By challenging Apple and Open AI, Musk’s firms are pushing back against what they see as unfair practices, raising new questions about competition in the AI industry.
Read Also: Musk Enters Politics with Launch of ‘America Party’
