Elon Musk Takes a Stand: Suing Apple Over Alleged Rigged App Store Rankings

Elon Musk is making waves once again, this time with his AI firm, xAI. He recently accused Apple of unfairly favoring other AI apps in the App Store. According to Musk, Apple has manipulated its app rankings so that only certain companies, like OpenAI, dominate the market. He even hinted at legal action, claiming Apple is breaking antitrust laws.

In a series of posts on social media, Musk questioned why his apps, X and the Grok chatbot, weren’t highlighted in Apple’s “Must Have” section. He emphasized that X is a leading news app and Grok ranks fifth among all apps, suggesting that their omission is politically motivated.

While Musk made serious allegations, he didn’t provide any solid evidence to back them up. As of now, it’s unclear if he has followed through with a lawsuit.

In a reply, Apple referred to its App Store as a fair platform that showcases thousands of apps without bias. They use algorithms and expert-curated lists to decide what gets featured. Interestingly, despite Musk’s claims, recent data shows that other AI apps can and do reach the top of the App Store. For example, China’s DeepSeek AI managed to take the top position earlier this year.

This isn’t the first time Musk has clashed with Apple or OpenAI. He was once a key figure at OpenAI but grew frustrated when the organization shifted towards profit-making. After OpenAI teamed up with Apple to integrate ChatGPT into their devices, Musk threatened to ban Apple products in his companies.

Musk’s accusations may come across as ironic, considering past reports that suggest he manipulated content on X (formerly Twitter) to boost his own posts. A study indicated that after he bought the platform, his posts were algorithmically prioritized, raising questions about fairness from his end too.

As Musk continues to navigate this complex landscape, user reactions across social media show mixed feelings. Some support his quest for equality in the app market, while others point out his inconsistencies.

Looking ahead, this conflict could have broader implications for how tech giants interact and govern app visibility. The outcome could set new precedents for fairness and competition in the tech world.

For more details on Apple’s response, you can read the full report on Bloomberg.

Source link

AI,Apple,Apps,Elon Musk,News,OpenAI,Tech,Twitter – X,xAI