The changes were announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in Cupertino, where the company said it wants to make discovery more personal while also giving developers better management over promotion and subscriptions.

One of the additions is a feature called Personalised Collections. This will surface app recommendations based on a user’s interests and activity.

Apple says the suggestions will appear across the Apps, Games and Search tabs and will adjust over time as users download and interact with more apps.

Alongside this, App Notes will appear to explain why a particular app has been recommended.

These recommendations will begin rolling out in English in the United States first, with other regions and languages to follow later.

Developers will also get new marketing tools. Apple is introducing Creative Assets, which allow richer images and videos to appear on product pages and in search results. These assets can be used to highlight updates, seasonal offers or new features.

There is also a new Asset Library inside App Store Connect, a central storage system where developers can manage screenshots, preview videos and other promotional content in one place.

Apple says this will reduce repeated uploads and make campaigns easier to manage across different pages and events.

On the subscription side, Apple is expanding how apps can be sold to groups. Developers will be able to offer subscriptions to organisations using volume purchasing through Apple Business Manager and Apple School Manager.

These purchases can be assigned across users through existing device management systems.

There is also a new group purchase option which allows one user to buy a subscription and invite others to join under the same plan. This will be handled through built-in invitation tools so users can accept and join without friction.

New App Store Bundles will also allow developers to package subscriptions from different apps together at a reduced price. In addition, Suites will let developers create grouped subscription packages that are not available as individual purchases.

Apple is also adding Retention Messaging tools, allowing developers to present tailored messages or offers when a user tries to cancel a subscription. The aim is to give users alternatives before they leave a service.

For app review and submission, Apple says it is simplifying the process. Developers will now be able to group multiple in-app purchases into a single submission for review, instead of sending them separately. This is designed to speed up approvals and reduce delays.

On the Mac App Store, Apple is also removing the requirement for Intel support. Developers can now ship apps built only for Apple silicon devices, cutting down on the need to maintain multiple versions.

Parental controls are also getting updates. New Time Allowances in iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27 will let parents set limits on how long children can use apps across categories such as games, entertainment and social media. Schedules will also allow access to be controlled at different times of the day.

Apple says apps will be categorised more strictly under this system. Developers will also need to update age rating details, including whether their apps involve social features such as user-generated content. These updates will feed into how apps are grouped for parental controls.

The company said the new model applies to auto-renewable subscriptions and is designed to give users lower monthly prices while helping developers secure steadier long-term income.

Under the system, customers can spread payments across 12 months instead of paying upfront for an annual plan. In return, developers may offer reduced monthly rates compared with standard month-to-month subscriptions.

Developers usually promote annual subscriptions by showing a cheaper monthly equivalent to persuade users to commit for longer. Apple is now building that option directly into the App Store system.

Users can cancel at any time, but the subscription will remain active until all agreed payments have been completed. It will not renew after the 12-month term if the user cancels before the end of the commitment.

To make terms clearer, customers will be able to check how many payments they have completed and how many remain through their Apple Account settings.

Apple also said it will send reminder emails and, for users who opt in, push notifications before renewal dates.

However, the new subscription option will not launch initially in the United States or Singapore. Apple did not give a reason for excluding the two markets.

Developers can already set up the feature in App Store Connect and test it through Xcode.

The option will be available worldwide, except for those two countries, for users running iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, macOS Tahoe 26.4, tvOS 26.4 and visionOS 26.4 or later, once iOS 26.5 and related software updates are released in May.

The company announced on Thursday that it will cut its standard commission on in-app purchases and paid transactions to 25%, down from 30%. The change takes effect on Sunday.

Developers in Apple’s small business and mini-apps partner programmes will also pay less, with commission dropping to 12% from 15%.

Mini apps are smaller programs that run inside larger platforms such as WeChat, operated by Tencent.

For Chinese developers, the decision removes part of what many have called the “Apple tax”. Companies that run so-called super apps, including Tencent and ByteDance, host large numbers of these smaller applications built by outside developers.

State-owned newspaper Economic Daily says the fee cut could save Chinese developers more than 6 billion yuan, or about $873 million, each year.

“This adjustment will … improve consumption choices and information transparency,” the newspaper said.

“The premium for digital goods and services on the iOS side will be gradually eliminated, and the prices of membership subscriptions, game recharges, live broadcast tips, mini programs and other scenarios are expected to decrease, which is expected to save consumers up to nearly 1 billion yuan per year.”

Apple did not directly link the decision to regulatory pressure. Still, the change follows discussions with Chinese authorities about App Store fees and policies.

The new commission rates start on March 15, which is World Consumer Rights Day. Chinese state media usually use the day to highlight complaints against companies accused of harming consumer interests.

The App Store commission has been called out around the world, with regulators in the European Union forcing Apple to lower developer commissions to between 10% and 17% in 2024 under new digital market rules.

Pressure has also increased in the United States, where Apple now allows alternative in-app payment methods after legal challenges.

China has taken a close look as well, and authorities have considered whether Apple App Store practices violate antitrust rules, and Chinese consumers filed a complaint over the fee structure last year.

Rich Bishop, founder of AppInChina, which helps foreign developers publish apps in China, said regulators have been involved in discussions with Apple.

“In China’s case, (Apple) have been talking with the IT ministry and other departments, and has been requested or pressured ‌to reduce ⁠their fees,” he said.

The change will apply to Chinese companies and also to international developers whose apps appear on the China App Store.

One example is Duolingo, which Bishop said generates about $50 million in annual revenue from Chinese users.

Apple already adapts its App Store policies to comply with Chinese regulations. In the past, the company removed virtual private network apps after requests from internet regulators.

More changes could come and Chinese authorities may eventually require Apple to collect App Store revenues inside the country rather than overseas. This would increase regulatory oversight of foreign apps operating in China.

The change started on February 24, 2026, as the company also expanded its age-verification tools for developers in Brazil and in two U.S. states, Utah and Louisiana.

The update affects how age categories are shared between users and app developers. Apple said it is rolling out new features through its Declared Age Range API, which is now available in beta.

The tool allows developers to request a user’s age category without accessing personal data such as a date of birth.

In Brazil, developers can use the updated API to obtain a user’s age category. The age category will only be shared if the user, or a parent or guardian where relevant, agrees, while API will also return a signal from the user’s device about the method of age assurance.

Apple confirmed that, from February 24, 2026, it will block downloads of apps rated 18+ in Australia, Brazil and Singapore unless users are confirmed to be adults through reasonable methods.

The App Store will carry out that confirmation automatically. However, Apple noted that developers may still have separate legal duties to verify users under local law.

In Brazil, developers who identify their apps as containing loot boxes through Apple’s age rating questionnaire will see their app ratings updated to 18+ on the Brazil storefront. Lawmakers in the country have spoken about gambling-like features in games.

In the United States, new regulations will take effect in two states. For users with new Apple accounts in Utah from 6 May 2026, and in Louisiana from 1 July 2026, age categories will be shared with developers’ apps when requested through the Declared Age Range API.

Apple said it has expanded its existing tools to help developers meet legal requirements in both states.

These tools include the Declared Age Range API, the Significant Change API under PermissionKit, a new age rating property type in StoreKit, and App Store Server Notifications.

Apple said: “New signals are now available through the Declared Age Range API, including whether age-related regulatory requirements apply to the user and if the user is required to share their age range.

“The API will also let you know if you need to get a parent or guardian’s permission for significant app updates for a child.”

Developers can use the API to present important update notifications to adults in Utah and Louisiana through what Apple calls the Significant Update Action, which remains in beta.

When releasing a significant update, developers must follow Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines and provide a clear description of the changes.

Apple previously worked to meet similar age-assurance requirements in Texas in October last year. It later paused parts of that plan in December after the state law faced a court challenge.

Governments in several countries have introduced stricter age-assurance rules aimed at limiting minors’ access to certain digital services. Apple’s latest changes adjust how its platforms, including iOS, iPadOS and macOS, handle age ratings, permissions and account signals in response to those laws.

For developers, the changes mean closer attention to local regulations. In Brazil, game makers that include loot boxes must now accept an automatic 18+ rating.

In Australia, Brazil and Singapore, 18+ apps will not download until adult status is confirmed. In Utah and Louisiana, age categories will flow directly to apps when requested, provided the user meets the new account conditions.

Apple said the updated tools are designed to give developers a way to meet legal obligations without collecting sensitive personal information.

In Nigeria, the message carries more weight because internet penetration has surged in recent years, with more than 103 million users recorded by late 2025.

With banking, shopping and social interaction moving online, cyber criminals are following at the same pace.

Data from Interpol show that phishing and online scams are the most common cyber threats across Africa. Nigeria ranks among the top three countries affected, largely due to rapid digital adoption that has overtaken security awareness.

Financial institutions regularly report heavy losses linked to online fraud. Today, attackers are no longer focusing only on corporate systems. They are targeting everyday devices, smartphones, laptops and even home Wi-Fi routers.

How Phones Are Being Targeted

Smartphones are prime targets because they store personal data, banking apps and social media accounts. For many Nigerians, the phone is the main gateway to the internet.

Mobile banking fraud accounts for a large share of reported cyber incidents. Fraud attempts have risen alongside the growth of digital payment platforms.

Criminals use fake apps, deceptive pop-ups and bogus software updates to trick users into installing malicious programs.

Some of these apps imitate trusted banking or shopping platforms. Once installed, they steal login details or secretly install malware.

Phishing messages remain widespread. Fraudsters send emails or text messages posing as banks, telecom providers or even friends. These messages often create panic or urgency, urging victims to click a link or share a one-time password.

SMS phishing, known as smishing, and SIM-swap fraud have become common in Nigeria. In many cases, victims lose access to their mobile lines, giving criminals a pathway into their bank accounts.

How Laptops Are Being Attacked

Laptops face similar risks, usually through email attachments or infected downloads. A single click on a compromised file can introduce ransomware or spyware into a system.

Email continues to be a key channel for phishing. Attackers disguise malicious attachments as invoices, job offers or official notices. Once opened, the malware can steal sensitive data or lock files until a ransom is paid.

Public Wi-Fi networks add another layer of risk. In cafes, airports and shared workspaces, unsecured connections can allow attackers to intercept data through what experts call “man-in-the-middle” attacks. Passwords, emails and financial information can be exposed without the user knowing.

Remote work and online learning are expanding across urban centres in Nigeria, and more people are connecting from outside secure home networks, increasing their vulnerability.

Why Wi-Fi Routers Are a Major Target

Wi-Fi routers are constantly overlooked, but they connect every device in a home or office. Once compromised, a router can give criminals access to all traffic passing through it.

Research by Broadband Genie indicates that about 86% of users do not change their router’s default administrator password. Default logins such as “admin” are widely known and easy to exploit.

Router breaches can be difficult to detect. Attackers may quietly monitor internet traffic, redirect users to fake websites or spread malware to connected devices. In some cases, compromised routers are added to botnets used for larger cyber attacks.

In Nigeria, where many households rely on basic router setups, a single weak password can expose phones, laptops and other smart devices on the same network.

Staying Safe Online

Cybersecurity experts say simple steps can reduce exposure to these threats.

For smartphones, users are advised to download apps only from official stores such as Google Play and the App Store. Avoid clicking unknown links, enable two-factor authentication and keep devices updated.

Laptop users should install reputable security software, avoid suspicious downloads and refrain from conducting sensitive transactions on public Wi-Fi without additional protection. Strong, unique passwords remain essential.

For routers, changing default login details is critical. Remote management features should be disabled if not needed, and firmware updates installed regularly.

Safer Internet Day reminds us that online safety is not only a government or corporate responsibility and everyday habits can make the difference between staying secure and becoming a victim.

Developers can now send their apps for review through OpenAI’s developer platform, changing how ChatGPT is used, from a single tool to a platform where outside services run inside conversations.

A built-in app directory is already live within the tools menu, giving users a way to search for and access published apps without leaving ChatGPT.

This development builds on OpenAI’s earlier decision to let selected partners plug their services into chat. Travel booking, music streaming, design tools and property searches are among the first use cases. 

According to the company, “Apps extend ChatGPT conversations by bringing in new context and letting users take actions like order groceries, turn an outline into a slide deck, or search for an apartment.”

In keeping users inside ChatGPT while they complete everyday tasks, OpenAI is working towards making the product a central workspace rather than a stopover tool.

To support developers, OpenAI is offering an Apps SDK, still in beta, alongside design libraries, example projects and practical guides. Once an app is submitted, developers can track its review status and, if approved, make it available to users globally or in selected countries. The first wave of approved apps is expected to roll out gradually next year.

Apps can be activated directly in conversations by mentioning them by name or choosing them from the tools menu. OpenAI is also testing ways to suggest relevant apps mid-conversation, based on what the user is trying to do. Feedback options are built in, giving users a say in what works and what does not.

For now, payments happen outside ChatGPT. Developers can link users to their own websites or mobile apps to complete purchases, particularly for physical goods. OpenAI says it is testing additional payment options and plans to expand into digital products and subscriptions over time.

Safety and privacy sit at the centre of the ChatGPT app store rollout. Every app must include a clear privacy policy and request only the data needed to function. Users are shown what information may be shared before connecting an app, and they can disconnect at any time, cutting off access immediately.

That instinct is what produced EstateGO, the property management platform that has become one of the most visible products in CloudCrave Solutions’ growing enterprise SaaS portfolio, and one of the clearest examples of what happens when a technology builder with deep operational experience turns their attention to an underserved market.

The Problem that Started it All

Property management in Nigeria is operationally fragmented in ways that create real financial costs for everyone involved. Landlords track rent payments across spreadsheets or not at all. Maintenance requests arrive through WhatsApp and disappear in threads.

Lease renewals are managed through memory and physical files. Property managers juggle entire portfolios with no centralised visibility into occupancy, outstanding payments, or pending issues.

The technology to solve this exists. The platforms built to solve it in Western markets do not work here, because the payment infrastructure is different, the lease structures are different, the landlord-tenant relationship dynamics are different, and the operational context is entirely different from the environments those platforms were designed for.

“We did not build EstateGO for a client. We built it because we looked at how property management actually works across Nigeria and realised that no existing platform was designed for this reality. That gap was too significant to ignore.”

EstateGO is a full-stack property management platform available on both the App Store and Google Play.

It covers tenant onboarding and lifecycle management, rent collection and automated payment tracking through Paystack integration, maintenance request management, real-time financial reporting across entire portfolios, and automated reminders for rent due dates and lease renewals.

The mobile-first architecture was a deliberate product decision, built around how property management in Nigeria actually happens, not how it happens in a Western office environment.

The Founder Behind the product

Ajao’s path to building EstateGO runs through nearly two decades of enterprise technology experience, beginning in the mid-2000s at one of Lagos’s most influential technology strategy firms, where he developed the technical foundations and strategic instincts that would later define his approach to product building.

It was during those early years, working across financial institutions, enterprise clients, and digital infrastructure projects,  that Ajao first encountered the pattern that now drives everything CloudCrave builds: African enterprises consistently forced to adapt foreign tools to operational contexts those tools were never designed for.

“The frustration I felt watching organisations work around the limitations of platforms that were never built with them in mind, that frustration never went away. It just became the thesis for everything we built at CloudCrave.”

From those early years emerged Staunch Technologies, the company through which Ajao first began building proprietary software products, including EduCrave, a school management system that remains in active use today.

CloudCrave Solutions was founded as the natural evolution of that journey: a dedicated SaaS company built around a single conviction, that African enterprises deserve software built specifically for them, at enterprise grade, with no compromises.

Beyond EstateGO: A portfolio Built on One Philosophy

EstateGO is one of eight proprietary SaaS platforms CloudCrave now operates. The portfolio spans property management, enterprise operations, education technology, training management, AI-powered financial tools, e-commerce infrastructure, and conversational AI, serving clients in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The common thread across all eight is not the industry vertical. It is the philosophy behind how they are built and owned.

“We do not build software for clients and hand it over. We build platforms, we own them, we deploy them, and we continue to develop them. Every client we add makes the platform better. That compounding is the entire point, and it is what separates a product company from a software agency.”

That philosophy is most visibly demonstrated in EnterpriseHub, CloudCrave’s enterprise operations platform, currently deployed with a US-based enterprise client managing over 400 staff across multiple American sites.

The platform replaced a legacy internal system that the client’s own IT team had built and maintained, a fact Ajao cites as the clearest evidence that product quality, not brand recognition, is what enterprise clients ultimately make decisions on.

In the UK, TrainPro is live with enterprise clients and going into full production in early 2026. CraveBiZ AI, live at cbiz.cloudcraves.com, is bringing AI-powered financial management to African SMEs.

ChatBot Studio, launched in May 2025, enables businesses to deploy intelligent AI assistants without writing a single line of code.

Investment in the Ecosystem

Beyond his product portfolio, Ajao has invested in the broader technology community through Switch2Tech, a digital skills initiative that has connected over 700 professionals with the knowledge, networks, and practical experience needed to participate meaningfully in Nigeria’s technology economy.

“I have benefited enormously from being part of a technology ecosystem that gave me room to grow. Switch2Tech is about contributing to that ecosystem, making sure the next generation of technology professionals has a community to learn from, not just a curriculum.”

Switch2Tech operates as a community initiative independent of CloudCrave’s commercial operations, a deliberate separation that reflects Ajao’s belief that ecosystem building and product building, while complementary, serve different purposes and should be approached differently.

What Comes Next

Ajao is characteristically measured when asked about what comes next for CloudCrave. There is a roadmap, AI capabilities being embedded across the entire product portfolio, new enterprise client deployments in progress, and an expansion of the company’s UK and US presence. But he is more interested in talking about the thesis than the timeline.

“The African enterprise software market is structurally underserved. Not because of alack of demand, the demand is enormous. But because the global vendors who dominate enterprise software have never prioritised building for African operational contexts. That is the opportunity. And we are not the only ones seeing it, which is exactly how it should be. A market this large needs more than one serious player.”

For now, Ajao remains focused on the work, building the platforms, winning the clients, and demonstrating, one deployment at a time, that enterprise-grade software built in Africa can compete and win anywhere in the world.

“EstateGO is live on the App Store and Google Play. That is not a prototype. That is not a pilot. That is a product. And there are seven more where that came from.”

The law, enforced since March 2024, compels tech firms classified as “gatekeepers”, including Apple, Google, Meta and Amazon, to open their platforms to third parties, permit alternative app stores and payment systems, and end practices such as self-preferencing. It is currently under review, with the European Commission receiving stakeholder feedback up to September 24.

Apple says these policies are already limiting what customers in Europe can access. According to the company, several new features have been delayed, including iPhone-to-Mac mirroring, live translation with AirPods, and enhanced location-based tools in Maps. 

Apple says these features depend on its tightly integrated ecosystem and cannot be safely extended to third-party platforms without risking user data.

“It’s become clear that we can’t solve every problem the DMA creates,” Apple said. “Over time, it’s become clear that the DMA isn’t helping markets. It’s making it harder to do business in Europe.”

The Commission has dismissed Apple’s objections, stressing that obligations under the law are not negotiable. A spokesperson noted: “Gatekeepers, like Apple, must allow interoperability of third-party devices with their operating systems.”

The issue reveals how far governments can push top tech firms to open their systems without damaging user safety. Apple argues that sideloading apps and the rise of alternative marketplaces, both required under the DMA, expose consumers to scams, malware and pornography apps that were previously blocked from its App Store. The company says younger users and those less experienced with technology are most at risk.

Apple’s case aligns with concerns raised in Washington, where former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration repeatedly condemned the DMA as discriminatory against American technology firms. 

The issue has also come with penalties: in April, Apple and Meta were fined for non-compliance, with Apple facing a €500 million sanction over restrictions on developer communications.

Reports from policy think tanks such as EPICENTER and ITIF have added weight to Apple’s stance, arguing that the DMA’s rigid design risks stifling innovation, delaying product rollouts and spreading compliance costs to smaller businesses.

The European Commission maintains that the law is essential to increase competition and consumer choice. Its first formal review is expected to determine whether the rules will be tightened further, potentially extending obligations to social networks.

Apple has made it clear it will continue to comply with legal requirements, but it is also noting that the EU regulation may come at a high cost for users, fewer features, slower innovation and, paradoxically, weaker protections.

In early 2025, Apple confirmed the removal of 137,000 apps from its EU App Store in line with new Digital Services Act (DSA) requirements. This is only a fraction of a bigger global clean-up.

In 2024 alone, both tech giants deleted nearly four million apps combined, a digital purge that many users never notice. Android dominates the global mobile OS market with a 72% share, while iOS accounts for 27% (Statcounter, July 2025). 

With billions of users relying on Google Play and the App Store daily, the sheer volume of takedowns reveal how broad the issue is.

Google was the lead here, removing about 11,000 apps every single day, mostly due to privacy and security breaches. According to its Transparency Report, 55% of these removals were linked to privacy and data protection violations, 16% to ineligible content, 15% to defective data, and 9% to scams or fraud. 

Apple, in contrast, averaged 200 removals per day, with most linked to outdated software (51%) or fraudulent activity (46%).

“It’s a staggering digital purge that goes unnoticed by the public. While it may create the illusion that every app we download is safe, the reality is a bit more complex,” said Sarunas Sereika, cybersecurity expert at Surfshark.

Fraudulent Apps Still Slip Through

Surfshark’s analysis shows the removals were not just about bugs or technical issues. Google deleted more than 300,000 apps in one year for fraud, scams, or security violations. Apple also targeted almost 40,000 apps over similar issues. 

Developers from Vietnam (23%), China (18%), Pakistan (11%), the United States (9%), and India (6%) made up the majority of fraud-related removals on the App Store, showing a concentration in Asia.

But here’s where it becomes worrying: many of those apps had already reached millions of devices before they were flagged.

“Here’s the unsettling truth. Many of these malicious apps were already on millions of devices before they were caught and removed. Even though our study revealed that Apple rejected 25% of app submissions, while Google Play maintained a lower rejection rate of 10%, the presence of an app in an official store often creates a false sense of security, making users believe that every download is safe.

“In reality, dangerous apps often slip through standard checks, hiding in plain sight, and in some cases, they return under new disguises, re-uploaded by attackers who exploit weaknesses of these well-known app stores,” Sereika explained.

This is an ecosystem where attackers exploit weaknesses in oversight, using advanced methods, including artificial intelligence, to design apps that appear legitimate, only to steal data or scam users once installed. 

Apple reported terminating nearly 147,000 developer accounts in 2024, up 25% from the previous year, while Google cut off about 155,000 accounts. Yet malicious developers often re-emerge under new identities, highlighting the cat-and-mouse dynamic between regulators and attackers.

Apple’s removals have actually dropped compared to 2022, when it wiped more than 186,000 apps from its store. Google, however, has become far more aggressive in its enforcement, leading to mass takedowns that reflect the scale of the threat.

The challenge, according to experts, is that malicious developers adapt faster than security systems can respond. Fake apps often mimic popular ones and reappear under slightly altered names or new developer accounts.

What Users Can Do

While both companies highlight their monitoring efforts in transparency reports, experts warn that the burden is partly on users.

“Even though Google and Apple are actively monitoring and removing unsecured apps from their stores, the responsibility also falls on users to practice safe downloading habits. This includes checking app permissions, reading reviews, and sticking to well-known developers. Additionally, installing security software and keeping devices updated can offer an added layer of protection,” Sereika added.

The numbers show that just because an app is available on official stores does not mean it is safe. With millions of apps created and uploaded, being cautious is highly essential.

Elon Musk’s AI startup, xAI, has sued Apple and OpenAI, accusing them of conspiring to shut out rivals in the fast-growing artificial intelligence market.

The lawsuit, filed in a Texas federal court on 25 August, is the latest escalation in Elon Musk’s long-running disagreement with OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman.

According to the complaint, Apple has given OpenAI an unfair advantage by integrating ChatGPT into iPhones, iPads, and Macs while sidelining Musk’s xAI products, including the Grok chatbot. 

xAI claims that Apple manipulates App Store rankings to exclude Grok from its curated lists, despite the app’s high user ratings. Musk himself reinforced this point on X, writing: “A million reviews with 4.9 average for @Grok and still Apple refuses to mention Grok on any lists.”

The lawsuit alleges that Apple’s dominance in the smartphone market, holding roughly 65% in the United States, combined with OpenAI’s estimated 80% control of the generative AI chatbot market, has created what Musk calls a “duopoly.” 

Lawyers for xAI argue that this exclusive arrangement violates U.S. antitrust law, particularly Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act. The company is seeking billions of dollars in damages.

OpenAI, in response, dismissed the filing, saying: “This latest filing is consistent with Mr. Musk’s ongoing pattern of harassment.” Apple has so far declined to comment.

Legal experts say the case could become a watershed moment for how American courts define the AI market and apply competition law to emerging technologies. Christine Bartholomew, a law professor at the University at Buffalo, described it as “a canary in the coal mine in terms of how courts will treat AI, and treat antitrust and AI.”

Musk’s issue with OpenAI is not new. He co-founded the company in 2015 but left three years later after disagreements over its direction. Since then, he has repeatedly criticised its shift from nonprofit to for-profit, even filing a separate lawsuit to block the move. Earlier this year, Musk attempted to buy OpenAI outright for $97.4 billion, an offer the company rejected.

Beyond the fight, Musk is pursuing ambitions for xAI and his social media platform X. He envisions turning them into a “super app,” combining social networking, payments, and AI tools in a model similar to China’s WeChat. 

Experts say Apple’s partnership with OpenAI could be seen as an attempt to neutralise that threat by locking users into its ecosystem.

The case draws comparisons to the U.S. government’s antitrust issue with Google, which centred on exclusive search deals with Apple.