Elon Musk’s companies X and xAI have filed a lawsuit against Apple and OpenAI, claiming the two tech giants engaged in anti-competitive practices to block rival AI products from gaining traction. The complaint was filed in a Texas federal court, marking the latest escalation in Musk’s disputes with Apple over its growing integration of generative AI tools.
According to MacRumors, the lawsuit argues that Apple and OpenAI colluded to make ChatGPT the default AI experience on iPhones through Apple Intelligence and Siri, effectively sidelining competing services like Grok. Musk’s companies say this has created barriers to visibility and growth, limiting user access to alternatives and reinforcing Apple’s control over the market.
The legal filing highlights several specific grievances. Musk claims that despite strong App Store performance – with X ranking as the number one news app and Grok among the top five overall – neither was featured in Apple’s “Must-Have Apps” section as of August 24, 2025. Instead, only ChatGPT appeared, which the lawsuit describes as evidence of preferential treatment. Musk also argues that by withholding Siri and Apple Intelligence integration, Apple is restricting access to valuable user data that could help competitors improve their products.
Apple responded by defending its App Store practices, stating that charts, curated lists, and recommendations are built on a mix of algorithms and expert selection intended to ensure fairness. OpenAI dismissed the lawsuit entirely, calling it part of Musk’s ongoing pattern of harassment rather than a legitimate competition concern.
Musk has been vocal about these issues in recent weeks, previously warning that Apple’s refusal to highlight Grok and X in the App Store amounted to an “unequivocal antitrust violation.” The lawsuit now puts those claims to the test in court, where the outcome could have major implications for how AI apps are distributed and promoted on iOS devices.
If successful, Musk’s challenge could force Apple to reevaluate how it integrates AI partners and highlight third-party apps. However, if Apple and OpenAI prevail, it will further entrench ChatGPT’s position as the dominant AI on iPhone, potentially leaving rivals like Grok at a long-term disadvantage.
