Apple Denies Bias in App Store After Elon Musk Claims Favoritism Toward OpenAI

Apple rejects Elon Musk’s claim of ChatGPT favoritism on the App Store

Apple has issued a response to Elon Musk’s recent claims that the company favors OpenAI’s ChatGPT app on the App Store. Musk, the CTO of X (formerly Twitter), criticized Apple for allegedly giving ChatGPT prominent placements across charts and editorial sections, suggesting unfair treatment and potential antitrust concerns. Apple, however, has firmly denied these allegations, emphasizing that its App Store rankings and features follow objective criteria and expert curation rather than favoritism.

According to a statement provided to Bloomberg, an Apple spokesperson explained that the App Store operates without bias. Thousands of apps are featured through algorithmic recommendations, curated lists, and charts selected by experts. The spokesperson highlighted that Apple aims to ensure safe app discovery for users while providing fair visibility opportunities for developers, particularly in fast-evolving app categories.

Musk’s accusations sparked a notable exchange on X, where he described the prominence of ChatGPT in Apple’s editorial sections as “an unequivocal antitrust violation” and hinted at potential legal action. The comments drew attention to the broader debate over platform control, algorithmic transparency, and how major tech companies influence app visibility.

While the discussion continues publicly, Apple’s response reiterates its commitment to a neutral, criteria-based App Store ecosystem. By emphasizing objective selection and algorithmic ranking, the company aims to reassure developers and users that app promotion is driven by merit and relevance rather than favoritism or external influence.