Elon Musk is considering banning iPhones across all his companies following Apple’s announcement of new OpenAI integrations at WWDC 2024. In a series of posts on X, the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI expressed concerns, stating that if Apple integrates OpenAI at the operating system level, Apple devices would be prohibited from his businesses. Visitors would have to check their Apple devices at the door, where they would be stored in a Faraday cage.

Musk’s posts seem to misinterpret the partnership announced by Apple and OpenAI, or at the very least, he casts doubt on user privacy. While Apple and OpenAI emphasized that users must give consent before any questions, documents, or photos are sent to ChatGPT, Musk argues that OpenAI’s integration into Apple’s OS could potentially access private data.

In iOS 18, Apple revealed that users could ask Siri questions, and if ChatGPT could provide a better answer, Siri would request permission to share the question and present the answer directly. This feature allows users to get responses from ChatGPT without opening the ChatGPT app. The same process applies to sharing photos, PDFs, or other documents with ChatGPT.

However, Musk prefers that OpenAI’s functionalities remain confined to a dedicated app rather than integrated with Siri.

Responding to Sam Pullara, VC and CTO at Sutter Hill Ventures, who noted that user approval is required for each request and OpenAI does not have device access, Musk replied, “Then leave it as an app. This is bullshit.”

Pullara explained that the ChatGPT integration is similar to how the current ChatGPT app operates. The on-device AI models are either developed by Apple or utilize Apple’s Private Cloud.

In response to a post by YouTuber Marques Brownlee, which provided further clarification on Apple Intelligence, Musk stated, “Apple using the words ‘protect your privacy’ while handing your data over to a third-party AI that they don’t understand and can’t themselves create is not protecting privacy at all!”

Musk also responded to a post by Apple CEO Tim Cook, threatening to ban Apple devices from his companies’ premises if Cook didn’t “stop this creepy spyware.”

“It’s absurd that Apple isn’t capable of creating their own AI yet claims to ensure OpenAI will protect your security & privacy,” Musk exclaimed. “Apple has no clue what’s happening once they hand your data over to OpenAI. They’re selling you down the river,” he added. Although Apple may not fully understand OpenAI’s inner workings, it’s technically the user’s choice to share data, not Apple’s.

Apple also announced an integration allowing users to access ChatGPT system-wide within Writing Tools via a “compose” feature. This feature lets users ask ChatGPT to write a bedtime story for a child or generate images to complement their writing. Users will be able to access ChatGPT for free without needing to create an account, which is excellent news for OpenAI as it anticipates a significant increase in requests from Apple users.

Musk appears to leverage user privacy concerns to gain attention. If users could choose their preferred AI bot for Siri or writing help, such as Anthropic’s Claude or xAI’s Grok, Musk might not voice such strong objections. (Apple hinted at the potential integration of Google Gemini in a post-keynote session.)

Apple reassured users that their requests and information are not logged, but ChatGPT subscribers can connect their accounts to access paid features within Apple’s AI experiences.

READ ALSO: Apple Messages Finally Embraces RCS and Text Scheduling in iOS 18

“Users control when ChatGPT is used and will be asked before any information is shared. ChatGPT integration will come to iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia later this year,” said Apple SVP of Software Engineering Craig Federighi. These features will be available only on iPhone Pro 15 models and devices with M1 or newer chips.

OpenAI echoed this sentiment in its blog post, noting that “requests are not stored by OpenAI, and users’ IP addresses are obscured. Users can also connect their ChatGPT account, meaning their data preferences will apply under ChatGPT’s policies.” This refers to the optional ability to connect the feature with a paid subscription.

Apple’s iMessage and Messages app in iOS 18 are set to introduce two highly anticipated features: the ability to schedule messages and support for RCS, a next-gen messaging standard. These updates will significantly enhance the user experience, especially for those communicating with Android users.

Groundbreaking Messaging Features in iOS 18

Introduction of Text Scheduling

For years, iPhone users have sought the ability to schedule messages. Until now, they’ve had to rely on third-party apps or cumbersome workarounds. iOS 18 changes this by allowing users to schedule messages directly within the Messages app. This feature is ideal for business professionals, night owls, and anyone who wants to ensure their messages are sent at the perfect time without waking someone up or missing important events.

Embracing RCS for Enhanced Messaging

The most significant update, however, is the support for Rich Communication Services (RCS). This next-gen messaging standard is set to replace SMS, resolving many issues faced when texting Android users. RCS will bring improved features such as typing indicators, read receipts, and higher quality media sharing, bridging the gap between iOS and Android communication.

The Push for RCS Adoption

Google’s Advocacy and EU Regulations

Google has long advocated for Apple’s adoption of RCS to streamline communication between iOS and Android users. The ongoing “green bubble” debate, highlighted by the Wall Street Journal, has emphasized the need for a unified messaging standard. Although the EU ruled that iMessage wasn’t popular enough to mandate interoperability, regulatory scrutiny likely influenced Apple’s decision to support RCS.

READ ALSO: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Fired for ‘Outright Lying,’ Ex-Board Member Claims

Addressing Longstanding Issues

Apple’s reluctance to adopt RCS has historically led to a subpar messaging experience with Android users, including lack of end-to-end encryption, no typing indicators, and low-quality media. With iOS 18, Apple aims to resolve these issues, although RCS messages will still appear as green bubbles on Apple devices.

Future Improvements and Encryption

Apple has indicated plans to work with the GSMA to introduce end-to-end encryption for RCS, though this won’t be available at launch. This future update promises to enhance security and privacy for cross-platform messaging.

The introduction of message scheduling and RCS support in iOS 18 marks a significant improvement for Apple’s Messages app. These features cater to user demands for greater functionality and smoother communication with Android devices. As Apple continues to refine these updates, users can look forward to a more seamless and enriched messaging experience.

READ ALSO: Elon Musk Warns Against Apple’s ChatGPT Integration, Threatens Ban on iPhones at His Companies

In a revealing interview on The TED AI Show podcast, former OpenAI board member Helen Toner detailed the reasons behind the board’s decision to fire CEO Sam Altman in November last year. According to Toner, Altman was dismissed due to a history of obstructing and deceiving the board, creating a toxic workplace, and retaliating against critics.

Toner emphasized that the OpenAI board was established to prioritize the public good over profits. However, she claimed that Altman consistently made it difficult for the board to fulfill this mission by withholding information and misrepresenting company activities. She accused Altman of outright lying to the board on multiple occasions.

One major incident that Toner highlighted was the release of ChatGPT in November 2022, which the board learned about through social media rather than from Altman himself. Additionally, she alleged that Altman had not disclosed his ownership of the OpenAI startup fund, despite asserting that he had no financial interest in the company.

Toner also recounted how Altman reacted negatively to a research paper she co-authored, which critiqued OpenAI’s safety measures and praised a competitor. She claimed that Altman attempted to have her removed from the board by spreading falsehoods among other board members, further eroding their trust in him.

The decision to fire Altman came after weeks of intense and secretive discussions, as the board feared Altman would undermine their efforts if he got wind of their plans. Despite their careful planning, Altman was rehired as CEO just days after his dismissal following a public outcry and the replacement of most of the board members who had voted to oust him.

READ ALSO: Musk’s X to Host Trump and RFK Jr. ‘Town Hall’ Events Ahead of Election

Toner and fellow former board member Tasha McCauley expanded on these issues in an op-ed for The Economist, citing “long-standing patterns of behavior” as the rationale for Altman’s removal. They described an environment where executives reported negative experiences with Altman, labeling his conduct as “psychological abuse” and expressing doubts about his ability to lead the company to achieve artificial general intelligence (AGI).

Toner concluded that the board’s trust in Altman had been irreparably damaged, rendering it impossible to provide the necessary oversight for OpenAI. This breakdown in trust ultimately led to their decision to fire him, even though it did not yield the desired outcome.