OpenAI exploring legal options against Apple

OpenAI was exploring legal options against Apple as of May 21, according to a Memeburn report that said tensions had grown around the companies’ AI partnership. The report said the dispute had raised the possibility that ChatGPT could be removed from Apple devices if the relationship deteriorates further. Neither Apple nor OpenAI had publicly announced litigation as of Friday, and the reported legal options were not specified. The latest friction comes less than two years after the companies jointly announced that ChatGPT would be integrated into Apple’s software. ### When did Apple and OpenAI first tie ChatGPT to the iPhone? Apple and OpenAI announced their partnership at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference on June 10, 2024, saying ChatGPT would be integrated into iOS, iPadOS and macOS. Apple said at the time that Siri could hand certain requests to ChatGPT, while OpenAI said users would be asked before questions, documents or photos were sent. Apple said in a June 10, 2024 newsroom release that Apple Intelligence would include access to ChatGPT and that users would be able to use the service without creating an account. OpenAI separately said Apple users could connect paid and free ChatGPT accounts to access additional features through Apple’s integrations. ### What is the reported source of the dispute now? TechCrunch reported on May 14, citing Bloomberg News and people familiar with the matter, that OpenAI was preparing potential legal action because the ChatGPT integration on iOS had not produced the subscriber growth and product prominence OpenAI expected. Memeburn’s May 21 article described the relationship as fraying and said OpenAI was exploring legal options against Apple. Memeburn said the dispute could jeopardize ChatGPT’s place on Apple devices if talks worsen in the coming weeks. The report did not describe a filed complaint, a court venue or specific claims under consideration. ### What ChatGPT features are currently tied to Apple’s system? OpenAI’s help documentation says users can connect ChatGPT accounts through Apple’s integrations and continue conversations started on Apple devices in the ChatGPT app or on the web. The same documentation says account-linked use through Apple follows OpenAI’s existing data-handling policies for that account type. Apple said in a December 11, 2024 release that Apple Intelligence had added “seamless support for ChatGPT” alongside Writing Tools, Image Playground and other features. Apple’s current Apple Intelligence product page also describes the system as integrated across iPhone, iPad, Mac and Vision Pro. ### Has either company said anything publicly about a lawsuit? OpenAI had not published a public statement on its website announcing legal action against Apple as of Friday. Apple had not posted a public response on its newsroom site addressing the reported dispute as of Friday. The absence of a public filing leaves the current reporting centered on unnamed-source accounts and secondary reports. TechCrunch attributed its account to Bloomberg’s reporting, while Memeburn described unspecified legal options under consideration. ### Why does June 8 matter in this story? ET Now reported that Apple’s WWDC 2026 opens on June 8 and is expected to feature Tim Cook’s keynote and new Apple Intelligence announcements, according to the media briefing provided for this story. Apple used WWDC in 2024 and 2025 to present major Apple Intelligence updates, including ChatGPT-related features and developer access to Apple’s on-device foundation model. June 8 is the next named milestone for both companies’ public positioning. Apple is expected to present its AI roadmap at WWDC, while OpenAI’s current help pages still describe how ChatGPT works through Apple’s integrations.