Elon Musk threatens to ban the use of Apple devices in his companies in connection with the new OpenAI agreement

Tesla CEO Elon Musk threatens to ban employees from taking Apple devices to work following Apple CEO Tim Cook’s release announced on Monday partnered to integrate OpenAI artificial intelligence technology into operating systems.

On Monday evening, Musk wrote on his social media platform X that adding OpenAI technology to Apple systems “constitutes an unacceptable security breach.” He added that visitors to his companies, which also include SpaceX, “will have to check their Apple devices at the door, where they will be stored in a Faraday cage.”

Musk’s threat to block Apple devices from his workplaces, which employ more than 100,000 workers at Tesla, SpaceX and X alone, comes amid a legal battle between Tesla’s CEO and OpenAI. In March, Musk defendant OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman allege that the artificial intelligence company has violated its original mission by prioritizing profits over benefits to humanity.

Apple’s announcement of its partnership with OpenAI emphasized that users’ personal data will remain private even as the iPhone maker integrates artificial intelligence into operating systems including iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia. The tech giant said it will not collect data about users or search their personal information stored on their devices when they use the artificial intelligence system.

Musk, however, expressed skepticism that Apple users’ personal information would remain private.

“It’s patently absurd that Apple isn’t smart enough to create its own AI, yet is somehow able to ensure that OpenAI will protect your security and privacy!” Musk wrote on X. “Apple has no idea what actually happens when they hand over your data to OpenAI. They sell you out over time.”

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Musk helped found OpenAI in 2015 but stepped down from its board in 2018. At the same time, he is working to build a rival artificial intelligence company, xAI, which has recruited researchers from OpenAI and other leading technology companies with a mission of “maximum benefit for all humanity.”