Elon Musk warns ban of Apple devices due to privacy concerns over OpenAI

New Delhi: Elon Musk, the Chief Executive Officer of Tesla, has voiced his apprehensions regarding the profound integration of OpenAI's ChatGPT across Apple's suite of devices, including the iPhone, iPad, and Macintosh computers. Musk has issued a cautionary statement, suggesting a potential prohibition of these devices within his companies due to concerns over security breaches.

In a recent post on X, Musk articulated,“If Apple integrates OpenAI at the OS level, then Apple devices will be banned at my companies. That is an unacceptable security violation.”

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 underscored the potential implementation of a Faraday cage to restrict such devices, thereby intercepting all digital signals, including cellular transmissions.

Employees affiliated with entities such as X, Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI may soon find themselves unable to employ iPhones, iPads, or Macs within their workplace premises.

This declaration by the billionaire entrepreneur followed Apple's revelation of its collaboration with OpenAI, a strategic move that Musk perceives as jeopardising data security standards.

During the World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC), Apple disclosed its initiative "Apple Intelligence," unveiling numerous on-device generative AI functionalities. The company further divulged its intention to incorporate GPT4o technology within Siri, enhancing the conversational experience across iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

In a subsequent communication, Musk criticised Apple's purported incapacity to develop its own AI infrastructure, casting doubt on the assurance of security and privacy protection offered by OpenAI. He remarked, “Apple has no clue what’s actually going on once they hand your data over to OpenAI. They’re selling you down the river.”

It’s patently absurd that Apple isn’t smart enough to make their own AI, yet is somehow capable of ensuring that OpenAI will protect your security & privacy!

Apple has no clue what’s actually going on once they hand your data over to OpenAI. They’re selling you down the river.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 10, 2024

Apple’s POV

While Musk expressed discontentment regarding the deeper OS-level integration of ChatGPT on Apple devices, Apple asserted that Siri powered by GPT4o and other proprietary applications on iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia will solicit consent for each interaction involving the sharing of queries, media, or documents. 

Users will have the autonomy to engage with ChatGPT without mandatorily creating an account. Apple asserted that neither the requests nor the shared information will be logged. Furthermore, subscribers to paid ChatGPT services can synchronise their accounts to access premium features. These enhancements are slated for deployment on select iPhones, iPads, and Macs later this year, with Apple exploring the prospect of extending support for additional AI models in subsequent iterations.