Craig Federighi Enters Antitrust Battle Over Apple-OpenAI Deal

In a notable turn in the antitrust lawsuit filed by Elon Musk's xAI against Apple and OpenAI, Apple’s software chief Craig Federighi has been appointed as a custodian responsible for providing relevant evidence for the case. The lawsuit, initiated in August 2025, centers on allegations that a partnership between Apple and OpenAI has negatively impacted xAI's Grok application in App Store rankings, reportedly favoring ChatGPT.

A recent filing in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas reveals that xAI claimed both Craig Federighi and Apple CEO Tim Cook were instrumental in the strategic decisions surrounding the Apple-OpenAI agreement. The court recognized the importance of Federighi's involvement, acknowledging that he may hold unique evidence that could sway the lawsuit's outcome, particularly regarding Apple's integration of OpenAI services.

While the court approved xAI’s request for Federighi to serve as a custodian, it denied the request for Tim Cook to be designated in the same capacity. The court determined that there was insufficient reason to believe Cook possessed any distinct evidence beyond what Federighi could provide, highlighting a strategic limitation in xAI's legal strategy.

Under this ruling, Federighi must supply any pertinent documents by June 17, 2026. This timeline reflects the court's view of his potential insights into Apple's internal decisions about generative AI technologies.

However, xAI's broader requests yielded mixed results. The court denied a motion to compel Apple to reveal all internal documents concerning employee policies on the use of generative AI and chatbot technologies. This decision underscores the obstacles xAI faces in its efforts to obtain comprehensive internal data from Apple, which could support its claims of bias in App Store rankings.

As the case develops, it carries significant implications for how tech companies manage partnerships with AI firms and the competitive dynamics of app rankings in major marketplaces. Federighi’s involvement in the lawsuit not only highlights the increasing scrutiny of large tech firms but also points to the complexities of legal disputes over emerging AI technologies. The tech community is closely monitoring these developments, eager to see how they may influence the competitive landscape for AI applications in mobile environments.