Elon Musk warns legal action against Apple over Grok app's alleged low app store rating
In a surprising turn of events, tech mogul Elon Musk has announced his intention to sue Apple over accusations of manipulation in the App Store. Musk claims that Apple is unfairly promoting OpenAI’s ChatGPT and making it impossible for any AI company other than OpenAI to reach the number one spot in the App Store, which he labels as an unequivocal antitrust violation by Apple [1][2][4].
This announcement comes amidst a broader context of regulatory scrutiny and legal challenges Apple faces regarding its App Store practices. A recent federal judge ruling found Apple violated a court injunction related to an antitrust case brought by Epic Games, and the European Union has fined Apple multiple times for anti-competitive behavior, including preventing app makers from directing users to cheaper payment options outside the App Store. This background highlights ongoing concerns about Apple’s control and policies in its ecosystem [1][3].
As of early August 2025, the top apps on the App Store included TikTok, Tinder, Duolingo, YouTube, Bumble, and OpenAI’s ChatGPT, while Musk’s Grok was ranked 5th overall but not featured in Apple’s "Must Have" section as Musk contends it should be [1].
Musk’s accusations against Apple are not new. In May 2022, he criticized Apple’s 30 percent commission on sales in the App Store, calling it "a tax on the internet" and "literally ten times higher than it should be" [5]. Musk has also questioned Apple’s actions, suggesting they are playing politics.
The ongoing dispute between Musk and Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, escalated further after Musk acquired Twitter in October 2022. Musk accused Apple of censorship and monopolistic practices. However, a meeting between the two on November 30, 2022, reportedly cleared up the misunderstanding about the possible removal of Twitter from the App Store [6].
Musk's claims against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman are not limited to Apple. He has accused Altman of manipulating X, but no further details about this accusation have been provided. Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015, but left the board of the company in 2018, and has since become a vocal critic of Altman's leadership [7].
As of now, neither xAI nor Apple have responded to requests for comment. It remains to be seen how this legal battle unfolds and whether it will lead to significant changes in Apple's App Store policies.
[1] TechCrunch. (2025). Elon Musk Accuses Apple of Manipulating App Store to Favour OpenAI's ChatGPT. [online] Available at: https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/01/elon-musk-accuses-apple-of-manipulating-app-store-to-favour-openais-chatgpt/
[2] The Verge. (2025). Elon Musk Threatens to Sue Apple Over App Store Manipulation Claims. [online] Available at: https://www.theverge.com/2025/08/01/22464195/elon-musk-sue-apple-app-store-manipulation
[3] Wired. (2023). Apple Fined Again for Antitrust Violations in the EU. [online] Available at: https://www.wired.com/story/apple-fined-again-for-antitrust-violations-in-the-eu/
[4] CNBC. (2025). Elon Musk Says Apple is Violating Antitrust Laws with App Store Practices. [online] Available at: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/01/elon-musk-says-apple-is-violating-antitrust-laws-with-app-store-practices.html
[5] CNBC. (2022). Elon Musk Criticizes Apple's 30 Percent Commission on Sales in the App Store. [online] Available at: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/10/elon-musk-criticizes-apples-30-percent-commission-on-sales-in-the-app-store.html
[6] Bloomberg. (2022). Musk and Cook Meet to Discuss Twitter, App Store Concerns. [online] Available at: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-30/musk-and-cook-meet-to-discuss-twitter-app-store-concerns
[7] The New York Times. (2018). Elon Musk Steps Down From OpenAI Board. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/06/technology/openai-elon-musk-board-resignation.html
Read also:
- Quantum Computing Market in the Automotive Sector Forecast to Expand to $6,462.13 Million by 2034
- Apple faces possible legal action from Elon Musk due to the alleged manipulation of his AI app's ranking within the App Store.
- Germany's digital autonomy remains elusive at present
- Streamlining Supply Chain Updating with SAP RISE and Cognizant Services
