Apple rejects Elon Musk's bias claims, says App Store treats all AI apps fairly
Musk, however, isn't convinced. In a late-night post on X, he blasted Apple for allegedly making it 'impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach #1.' He claimed that despite X topping the News chart and Grok receiving significant updates, including making Grok 4 free to all users, his chatbot could only climb to fifth overall and second in the Productivity category. Meanwhile, ChatGPT has held a firm grip on the top spot, boosted by prominent placement within the App Store.The Tesla and SpaceX boss also accused Apple of refusing to list X or Grok in the 'Must Have' section, a coveted feature spot where ChatGPT currently resides. Musk threatened 'immediate legal action' over the matter, although no lawsuit has yet been filed.Apple's 'safe' remark may point to a less flattering explanation for Grok's absence from such sections. The AI app has faced multiple controversies in recent weeks, including antisemitic content, sexualised chatbot features, and celebrity deepfake outputs. Such issues could make it a tougher sell under Apple's editorial guidelines, regardless of its download numbers or engagement levels.The spat is also layered with personal rivalry. Musk's criticism of ChatGPT is the latest flashpoint in his ongoing public battles with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Altman hit back at Musk's bias claims by suggesting that the billionaire has been guilty of the same behaviour on his own platform, manipulating X's algorithms to promote his posts and companies.The timing is particularly awkward for Apple, which is already fighting a high-profile antitrust case brought by the US Department of Justice. The company is also appealing a ruling from its long-running legal fight with Epic Games, which forced changes to some of its App Store rules. Any perception of favouritism or exclusionary practices could add fuel to regulatory fires already burning around Cupertino.For now, Musk's threats remain just that, threats. But the broader battle over visibility in the App Store shows no signs of cooling. With AI now one of the fastest-growing app categories, the question of which platforms and products get the spotlight is becoming a high-stakes game. - Ends
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