Elon Musk Threatens to Ban iPhones from His Companies Over OpenAI Integration
Elon Musk has announced plans to ban iPhones from all his companies due to Apple’s newly announced OpenAI integrations. Following Apple’s announcement at WWDC 2024, Musk posted on X (formerly Twitter) that if Apple integrates OpenAI at the OS level, Apple devices would be banned from his businesses. Visitors would be required to check their Apple devices at the door, where they would be stored in a Faraday cage.
Musk’s posts indicate a misunderstanding or skepticism about the nature of the Apple and OpenAI integration, raising concerns about user privacy. Although Apple and OpenAI have stated that users will be asked for permission before any questions, documents, or photos are sent to ChatGPT, Musk believes OpenAI could access personal and private data directly through the operating system.
In iOS 18, Apple announced that users will be able to ask Siri questions, and if Siri determines that ChatGPT can assist, it will request permission to share the question and present the answer. This setup allows users to receive responses from ChatGPT without opening the ChatGPT app. Photos, PDFs, or other documents sent to ChatGPT will follow the same procedure.
Musk prefers that OpenAI’s capabilities remain confined to a dedicated app rather than being integrated with Siri. Responding to a comment by Sam Pullara, VC and CTO at Sutter Hill Ventures, who explained that user requests are approved on a per-request basis and that OpenAI does not have device access, Musk insisted that the integration should remain as an app, calling it “bullshit.”
Pullara had pointed out that the integration is similar to the current functionality of the ChatGPT app, with on-device AI models being either Apple’s own or using Apple’s Private Cloud. Musk, however, argues that Apple’s assurances of protecting privacy are undermined by handing data over to a third-party AI, claiming that Apple cannot ensure OpenAI’s protection of security and privacy.
Musk further criticized Apple CEO Tim Cook, threatening to ban Apple devices from his companies if Apple does not stop what he called “creepy spyware.” Musk stated that Apple lacks the capability to create its own AI while ensuring OpenAI will protect user data, accusing Apple of not understanding what happens to data once it is handed over to OpenAI.
Apple also announced a system-wide ChatGPT integration within Writing Tools through a “compose” feature, allowing users to ask ChatGPT to write or generate images for documents. This feature would let users access ChatGPT without needing to create an account, benefiting OpenAI with increased usage from Apple users.
Musk’s criticism may exploit potential user concerns about privacy. If users could select their preferred AI bot for Siri requests or writing assistance, such as Anthropic’s Claude or Musk’s own xAI’s Grok, it is likely Musk’s objections would be less vocal. Apple hinted at the possibility of integrating Google Gemini in the future.
Apple has assured that users’ requests and information are not logged, but ChatGPT subscribers can connect their accounts to access paid features directly within Apple’s AI experiences. Craig Federighi, Apple SVP of Software Engineering, emphasized that users control when ChatGPT is used and will be asked before sharing any information. The ChatGPT integration will be available later this year on iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, but only on iPhone Pro 15 models and devices with M1 or newer chips.
OpenAI reiterated that requests are not stored by OpenAI, users’ IP addresses are obscured, and users can connect their ChatGPT account, adhering to ChatGPT’s data preferences and policies.
