In a bold legal move, Elon Musk’s xAI and social platform X have launched a sweeping antitrust lawsuit against Apple and OpenAI, accusing the tech giants of forming an illicit partnership to crush competition in AI and smartphones.
The 61-page complaint, filed in a Texas federal court, alleges that Apple and OpenAI struck an exclusive deal last June making ChatGPT the only generative AI chatbot integrated into iOS via Siri and other iPhone features – effectively sidelining rivals like xAI’s Grok.
According to the lawsuit, Apple controls 65 percent of the U.S. smartphone market, while OpenAI holds at least an 80 percent share of the generative AI chatbot space with ChatGPT. The plaintiffs argue this combination locks out competitors from accessing 'billions of user prompts' from hundreds of millions of iPhone users.
The complaint also claims that Apple manipulated its App Store rankings to favor ChatGPT and delayed approval of Grok updates, further hindering xAI’s ability to compete.
Musk’s companies are seeking billions in damages and a permanent injunction to halt what they describe as anticompetitive practices, and they have requested a jury trial.
OpenAI fired back, calling the lawsuit consistent with 'Mr Musk’s ongoing pattern of harassment.' This legal face-off comes after a public spat between Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who accused Musk of using his own platforms to undermine competitors.
The rivalry dates back to 2018 – an organization Musk helped found before his departure that later gave rise to xAI in 2023. Since ChatGPT’s blockbuster debut in late 2022, both sides have poured billions into AI research and development, and this lawsuit could mark the next chapter in their high-stakes showdown.
As the case unfolds, the outcome could reshape how AI assistants and app stores operate, raising new questions about competition, innovation, and user choice in a tech landscape dominated by a few powerful players.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
