Elon Musk Looking To Ban Apple Devices In Tesla, SpaceX ChatGPT iOS Integration

Posted: June 11, 2024

Elon Musk has issued a bold threat, declaring his intention to ban iPhones from all his companies in response to Apple’s newly unveiled OpenAI integrations, announced during WWDC 2024. The Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI executive took to X to express his concerns, asserting that if Apple proceeds with integrating OpenAI at the operating system level, devices from the tech giant would be barred from his businesses. Musk further emphasized that visitors would be required to surrender their Apple devices upon entry, which would then be stored in Faraday cages.

Musk’s statements, however, appear to misconstrue the nature of the Apple ChatGPT partnership. While both companies have assured users that their privacy is respected and that consent is sought before transmitting any inquiries to ChatGPT, Musk’s comments suggest a deeper skepticism regarding data privacy.

Apple’s iOS 18 is set to enable users to interact with ChatGPT seamlessly through Siri, with the assistant seeking permission before sharing queries and displaying responses directly. This Apple ChatGPT integration promises to enhance user experience by embedding AI assistance directly into the operating system. Despite these assurances, Musk insists on restricting OpenAI’s capabilities to a standalone app, rather than integrating it with Siri.

Responding to assertions from VC and CTO Sam Pullara regarding user consent and data security, Musk dismissed the integration as “bullshit,” advocating for a standalone app approach. Even in response to elucidations from YouTuber Marques Brownlee and Apple CEO Tim Cook, Musk remained critical, accusing Apple of compromising user privacy by entrusting data to a third-party AI system.

Apple’s announcement also introduced another integration, enabling users to access ChatGPT system-wide within Writing Tools. While this feature offers convenience to users, Musk’s objections underscore broader concerns regarding data privacy and user autonomy. This Apple ChatGPT partnership aims to streamline user interaction with AI, embedding it into everyday tools for enhanced productivity.

Despite assurances from Apple and OpenAI regarding user control and data protection, Musk’s vocal opposition underscores lingering doubts about the implications of such integrations. With Apple users potentially gaining widespread access to ChatGPT’s capabilities, the debate over data privacy and user consent continues to intensify. Musk’s stance, particularly given his own ventures in the AI space with Elon Musk AI company xAI, amplifies the discourse surrounding the issue, highlighting the need for ongoing scrutiny and dialogue on the balance between innovation and privacy.