After Cupertino confirmed rumors that it would integrate ChatGPT into iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia as part of its Apple Intelligence framework, Elon Musk threatened to ban iPhones and other Apple devices from his company’s offices over security concerns.
“If Apple integrates OpenAI at the OS level, then Apple devices will be banned at my companies,” Musk — who runs Tesla, X and SpaceX, among other things — said on the platform formerly known as Twitter. “That is an unacceptable security violation.”
Elon Musk threatens to ban iPhones and other Apple devices
Apple unveiled the ChatGPT integration Monday during its Worldwide Developers Conference keynote as it showcased Apple Intelligence for the first time. The company’s personal, privacy-focused spin on AI mostly runs on individual iPhones, iPads and Macs. However, a user can call upon ChatGPT to execute certain tasks — if they give explicit permission to employ OpenAI’s controversial chatbot.
Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI, quit the company’s board of directors in 2018. He frequently criticizes the company, and its CEO Sam Altman (who was spotted at WWDC24 on Monday). He accuses OpenAI of giving up on pursuing advances in artificial intelligence “for the benefit of humanity broadly.” Musk also launched a competing company, xAI, which developed a ChatGPT competitor known as Grok.
So perhaps it’s not surprising that Musk took aim at ChatGPT cutting a deal with the maker of the world’s most popular smartphones. You could write it off as post-breakup bluster. However, Musk criticized Apple for working with OpenAI, a company with a sketchy history when it comes to privacy.
“It’s patently absurd that Apple isn’t smart enough to make their own AI, yet is somehow capable of ensuring that OpenAI will protect your security & privacy!” Musk said. “Apple has no clue what’s actually going on once they hand your data over to OpenAI. They’re selling you down the river.”
Musk’s employees might not be the only ones facing an iPhone ban at his companies.
“Visitors will have to check their Apple devices at the door, where they will be stored in a Faraday cage,” he said on X.
Apple Intelligence will protect your privacy, Apple says
Photo: Apple
During its presentation of Apple Intelligence, Apple focused on its privacy-oriented approach to AI. The will build its platform “with privacy from the ground up,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook. He added that Apple designed its “personal intelligence system” in such a way that it “protects your privacy at every step.”
And in its press release about Apple Intelligence, Apple again stressed privacy. “Privacy protections are built in for users who access ChatGPT — their IP addresses are obscured, and OpenAI won’t store requests,” Apple said.
Elon Musk’s potential iPhone ban sounds harsh (and perhaps over the top). However, Musk wasn’t the only one calling into question OpenAI’s trustworthiness.
“Remember when Scarlett Johansson told OpenAI not to use her voice, but they cloned it and used it anyway?” wrote DogeDesigner on X. “Now imagine what they can do with your phone data, even if you don’t allow them to use it.” (“Exactly!” Musk replied.)
The Tesla founder also posted a South Park clip and a “sharing a tender coconut” meme to illustrate his concerns:
https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1800287174065115424
https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1800272349134279011
