Elon Musk Threatens Legal Action Against Apple Over App Store Rankings

Published Time: 08-12-2025, 13:20

SAN FRANCISCO — Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk says he intends to sue Apple, alleging the company has deliberately excluded his social media platform X and artificial intelligence chatbot Grok from its top-recommended apps in the App Store.

Musk, who owns SpaceX, Tesla, and X (formerly Twitter), voiced his frustration late Monday in a series of posts on X, calling Apple’s omission a “clear antitrust violation.” He accused the tech giant of favoring certain AI companies, particularly OpenAI, while sidelining competitors like his own AI startup, xAI.

Musk’s Public Accusations

In his online statement, Musk addressed Apple directly, writing:

“Hey @Apple App Store, why do you refuse to put either X or Grok in your ‘Must Have’ section when X is the #1 news app in the world and Grok is #5 among all apps? Are you playing politics? What gives? Inquiring minds want to know.”

Musk alleged that Apple’s App Store environment makes it “impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach #1,” which he labeled “an unequivocal antitrust violation.” He added that his AI venture, xAI, will pursue “immediate legal action,” though he did not provide details about the legal strategy or filing timeline.

Grok, developed by Musk’s company xAI, has positioned itself as a conversational AI alternative to ChatGPT. Despite its growing user base, Musk claims it is being deliberately excluded from Apple’s most visible app promotions.

Apple Yet to Respond

As of Tuesday morning, Apple had not publicly commented on Musk’s claims. The company has faced multiple antitrust investigations in recent years, particularly over its App Store policies.

In April, the European Union fined Apple €500 million (approximately $545 million) for restricting app developers from directing users to more affordable payment options outside the App Store. The EU also fined the company nearly $2 billion in 2024 for allegedly favoring its own music streaming service over competitors like Spotify.

In the United States, a federal judge recently ruled that Apple violated an existing court injunction in an antitrust lawsuit brought by Fortnite maker Epic Games. That case centered on Apple’s control over app distribution and in-app payments.

Current App Store Rankings

According to Apple’s App Store data as of early Tuesday, the top-ranked app was TikTok, followed by Tinder, Duolingo, YouTube, and Bumble. OpenAI’s ChatGPT held the number seven spot.

Musk argued that the exclusion of X and Grok from the “Must Have” section is particularly striking given their reported popularity. X is currently ranked as the number one news app globally, and Grok is ranked fifth overall among all apps, according to Musk.

Broader Antitrust Context

Musk’s dispute with Apple adds to a growing list of high-profile tensions between tech giants and regulators over digital marketplaces. Antitrust authorities worldwide have intensified scrutiny over whether app store operators use their market dominance to unfairly promote certain products or block competitors.

Apple has consistently defended its App Store curation process, arguing that its editorial selections aim to highlight apps that deliver the best user experience, adhere to privacy standards, and maintain security protocols.

If Musk proceeds with legal action, the case could add another layer to the ongoing global debate over platform neutrality and competition in the app economy.

What’s Next for Musk’s Legal Threat

It remains unclear whether Musk’s legal team will pursue action in U.S. courts, in the European Union, or in multiple jurisdictions. Given Apple’s history of defending its App Store policies and prevailing in certain high-profile cases, any lawsuit from Musk could face significant legal hurdles.

For now, Musk’s public challenge is drawing attention from both the tech industry and policymakers. Observers note that his high-profile ownership of several global companies and his direct communication style often lead to rapid escalation of disputes.

While Apple has not responded, the public debate sparked by Musk’s comments is likely to continue, especially as regulators worldwide weigh in on how app stores should manage rankings, recommendations, and competition.