Meta's Muse tops app charts, but critics say it clones OpenClaw
Meta's new AI agent, Muse, has surged to the top of the U.S. App Store charts, surpassing ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok in downloads. However, the launch has sparked a controversy over whether Meta built the tool from scratch or merely wrapped the open-source platform OpenClaw. While Meta denies direct copying, it admits the product is heavily inspired by OpenClaw, which pioneered the consumer AI agent concept earlier this year.
Key points
- Muse achieved 730,000 downloads in its first five days and over 2.5 million total downloads by September 21, according to Sensor Tower.
- The app has 600,000 daily active users in the U.S., per Apptopia estimates, and is powered by Meta's Muse Spark AI models.
- Social media users and Redditors alleged Muse is a wrapper for OpenClaw, citing identical file names (SOUL.md) and personality directives.
- Meta's Nat Friedman denied direct copying but acknowledged Muse is 'heavily inspired' by OpenClaw, which he first used in January 2026.
- Meta claims Muse improves on OpenClaw by using isolated Secure VMs for privacy, though critics note OpenClaw had significant security vulnerabilities.
- Amazon blocked Muse from accessing its site over privacy concerns, while Shopify partnered with Meta for agentic checkout.
Background
Meta launched Muse on September 8, 2026, as a consumer-facing AI agent capable of handling tasks like email, travel bookings, and shopping. The launch coincided with Meta Connect 2026, where Zuckerberg unveiled the Muse Charm pendant and VR Glasses. The release followed a broader industry trend where OpenAI, Google, and Apple had also invested in agentic AI after OpenClaw's viral success earlier in 2026.
How outlets are covering it
The Verge emphasizes the technical similarities between Muse and OpenClaw, noting identical file structures and personality prompts, while highlighting Meta's claim that it built the tool from scratch to address OpenClaw's security flaws. CNBC focuses on the commercial success and market impact, detailing Muse's download numbers, its overtaking of ChatGPT, and the stock market reaction. CNBC also highlights the friction with Amazon, which blocked Muse over privacy concerns, contrasting with Shopify's partnership. Both outlets acknowledge the influence of OpenClaw but differ in emphasis: The Verge questions the originality, while CNBC frames it as a major market shift.
Why it matters
Muse's rapid adoption signals a shift in AI from chatbots to autonomous agents that perform real-world tasks. The controversy over its origins raises questions about innovation versus imitation in the AI industry, while the security and privacy debates highlight the risks of deploying such tools at scale. The stock market reaction and partnerships with e-commerce giants show the commercial potential of agentic AI.
What to watch
Meta will likely face scrutiny over Muse's security and privacy claims, especially after Amazon's block. The company may expand Muse's capabilities, including integration with its AR glasses and the Muse Charm pendant. The broader AI industry may see more consumer agents, but the debate over originality and safety will continue.
- Muse sure looks a lot like OpenClaw The Verge
- I Gave My Life Over to Meta’s A.I. Agent and Was Blown Away The New York Times
- Meta is banking its future on its Muse AI agent — and winning user trust finance.yahoo.com
- Meta’s Muse Comes for Financial Stocks WSJ
- Meta's Muse AI agent downloads are surging. Here's how it compares to ChatGPT, Grok and Claude CNBC
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on The Verge