Elon Musk threatens to ban Apple devices from his companies over Apple’s ChatGPT integrations

The integration of OpenAI's ChatGPT into Apple's iOS 18 operating system is designed to prioritize user privacy and control over data sharing6. According to Apple and OpenAI, users will be asked for permission before any questions, documents, or photos are sent to ChatGPT. This means that the user has to explicitly approve a specific request on a per-request basis, and OpenAI does not have unrestricted access to the device or user data.

In iOS 18, when a user asks Siri a question, if the assistant believes ChatGPT can help, it will request permission to share the question and present the answer directly. This allows users to obtain an answer from ChatGPT without opening the ChatGPT iOS app. Similarly, when users want to send photos, PDFs, or other documents to ChatGPT, they will be asked for permission as well.

Additionally, Apple announced that it would allow users to access ChatGPT system-wide within Writing Tools via a "compose" feature. Users can enjoy the benefits of ChatGPT for free without the need to create an account.

Apple emphasizes that users' requests and information are not logged, but ChatGPT subscribers can connect their account and access their paid features directly within Apple's AI experiences. Both Apple and OpenAI have stated that requests are not stored by OpenAI, and users' IP addresses are obscured. Users can also choose to connect their ChatGPT account, which means their data preferences will apply under ChatGPT's policies.

In summary, the integration of OpenAI's ChatGPT into iOS 18 is intended to give users control over when and how their data is shared with OpenAI, ensuring transparency and privacy protection6.

Elon Musk's main concerns regarding the integration of OpenAI into Apple's iOS stem from his belief that this integration could lead to potential security violations and privacy issues. He fears that OpenAI, being deeply integrated into Apple's operating system, might have access to personal and private data of users, which could be misused.

Musk is insisting that OpenAI's capabilities should remain bound to a dedicated app and not be integrated with Siri, Apple's voice assistant. He is of the opinion that Apple handing over data to OpenAI without fully understanding the implications is not protecting user privacy.

However, both Apple and OpenAI have clarified that users will be asked for permission before any information is shared with OpenAI. The AI systems integrated into iOS are designed to run entirely on users' devices by default, rather than transmitting sensitive data to the cloud2. Furthermore, it's been stated that developers leveraging Apple Intelligence tools will be subject to strict guidelines to prevent abuse.

Despite these assurances, Musk's concerns highlight the ongoing debate around data privacy and security in the era of advanced AI technology. His public objections may also be seen as a strategic move to promote his own AI startup, xAI, as a direct competitor to OpenAI and other major players in the market.