Apple has rejected Elon Musk’s accusations that its App Store is biased against AI apps competing with OpenAI. The company stated that it features thousands of apps through charts, algorithmic recommendations, and curated lists selected by experts using objective criteria.
This response follows Musk’s threat to sue Apple via xAI, alleging that the iPhone maker’s actions make it impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach the top spot in the App Store.
Apple and OpenAI formed a partnership last year to integrate OpenAI’s models and ChatGPT into Apple products, including Siri and iOS. However, there is no evidence that the App Store favors OpenAI over other AI companies. Competing AI apps like Perplexity and DeepSeek have previously topped the App Store charts.
In the past, Apple might have ignored claims of chart manipulation. But now, the company faces increasing regulatory pressure and new laws worldwide aimed at limiting its dominance in the app distribution market. Additionally, Apple was recently criticized by a U.S. district judge in its case with Epic Games for failing to implement court-ordered policy changes.