Elon Musk has raised concerns about the newly announced OpenAI integrations with Apple’s operating system, unveiled at WWDC 2024.
The Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI executives took to X to express their disapproval, suggesting that if Apple integrates OpenAI at the OS level, Apple devices would be banned from his companies.
Musk proposed that visitors to his businesses would have to check their Apple devices at the door, where they would be stored in a Faraday cage.
Elon Musk’s Companies Would Ban Apple Devices Over Privacy Concerns
Musk’s posts suggest a misunderstanding or intentional misrepresentation of Apple’s relationship with OpenAI.
While Apple and OpenAI assured that users are asked for permission before any questions, documents, or photos are sent to ChatGPT, Musk’s responses indicate a belief that OpenAI is deeply embedded in Apple’s operating system, potentially compromising user privacy.
Apple clarified that in iOS 18, Siri will ask for user permission before sharing questions with ChatGPT and presenting the answers directly.
This integration allows users to get answers from ChatGPT without opening the ChatGPT app. The same applies to sending photos, PDFs, or other documents to ChatGPT.
Musk’s Preference for App-Based AI
Musk prefers that OpenAI’s capabilities remain within a dedicated app rather than being integrated with Siri.
Responding to Sam Pullara, CTO at Sutter Hill Ventures, Musk emphasized that OpenAI should remain an app to ensure user privacy.
Pullara explained that the integration is similar to how the ChatGPT app functions today, with on-device AI models either being Apple’s own or using Apple’s Private Cloud.
Musk’s Criticism of Apple’s Privacy Claims
If Apple integrates OpenAI at the OS level, then Apple devices will be banned at my companies. That is an unacceptable security violation.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 10, 2024
Musk also criticized Apple’s privacy claims, responding to YouTuber Marques Brownlee’s explanation of Apple Intelligence.
He argued that Apple handing over data to a third-party AI like OpenAI contradicts their privacy protection claims.
In a direct reply to Apple CEO Tim Cook, Musk threatened to ban Apple devices from his companies if Apple did not cease what he termed “creepy spyware.”
Apple’s New Integrations
Apple also announced system-wide ChatGPT integrations within Writing Tools via a “compose” feature.
Users can ask ChatGPT to write documents or generate images without needing to create an account.
This seamless access to ChatGPT is expected to result in a significant increase in requests from Apple users.
Despite Musk’s objections, Apple maintains that users’ requests and information are not logged.
ChatGPT subscribers can connect their accounts to access paid features directly within Apple’s AI experiences.
According to Apple SVP of Software Engineering Craig Federighi, users have control over when ChatGPT is used and will be asked before sharing any information.
These integrations will be available later this year on iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, specifically on iPhone Pro 15 models and devices using M1 or newer chips.
OpenAI reiterated that requests are not stored by OpenAI, and users’ IP addresses are obscured.
Users can opt-in to connect their ChatGPT accounts, aligning their data preferences with ChatGPT’s policies.
