Musk Alleges Apple “Threatening To Withhold” Twitter From Its App Store

Elon Musk said that Apple has “threatened” to remove Twitter from its iOS app store, which might devastate the $44 billion firm he acquired.

Musk tweeted Monday that Apple (AAPL) and its CEO had threatened to remove Twitter from its App Store without explaining why.

Musk tweeted that Apple had basically discontinued Twitter advertising. “Do they detest free speech in America?” he asked, referring to his repeated calls for platform free speech. “What’s up, Tim Cook?” Musk tweeted again. He also blasted Apple’s scale, “restriction,” and 30% transaction fee for large app creators in its app store.

Musk’s tweetstorm emphasizes his tense relationship with Apple, which along with Google controls mobile app distribution. Before taking over Twitter, the Tesla CEO stated he explored selling the firm to Apple, but Cook refused to meet with him. Twitter, which has lost advertisers since Musk’s takeover and struggled to grow its subscription business, would suffer if it were removed from Apple’s or Google’s app stores.

Musk’s tweets were unanswered by Apple. The business has already indicated it’s willing to delete apps from its app store over worries about their ability to filter dangerous content or if they attempt to evade the cut Apple takes from in-app sales and subscriptions. After the US Capitol attack, Apple withdrew Parler, a conservative app, from its app store over concerns about its capacity to recognize and filter hate speech and incitement. After improving its content moderation, Apple reinstated Parler three months later.

Apple’s app store review criteria require apps to prevent “material that is unpleasant, insensitive, distressing, intended to disgust, in extraordinarily poor taste, or just plain creepy” such hate speech, pornography, and terrorism. The guidelines declare that the App Store is not the place for apps that shock and offend.

After extensive layoffs and large employee departures, civil society groups, researchers, and industry watchers have voiced worries about Twitter’s ability to monitor dangerous content and keep the network safe. Musk also wants to promote “free expression” on Twitter by restoring banned or suspended accounts. Musk has tweeted a conspiracy theory and other controversial messages since taking over Twitter.

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Since becoming CEO, Musk, a prolific and aggressive tweeter, has continued. He claims engagement has compensated for revenue losses. The objective appears to be persistently targeting enemies of his or “free speech.” Cook was questioned in an interview earlier this month if Twitter might alter to make Apple remove it from the app store. “They say they’ll moderate and so… “I trust them,” Cook said. Because no one wants hate speech on their platform. I expect them to continue.”

Last week, Twitter’s former head of trust and safety, Yoel Roth, who departed the business earlier this month, wrote in the New York Times that app store operators had started calling Twitter after Musk’s takeover. Roth called violating Google and Apple’s app store guidelines “catastrophic.”

Last Sunday, Apple app store boss Phil Schiller canceled his Twitter account.

Apple ran Black Friday adverts on Twitter on Thursday, though their relationship is unclear.

As the economy has weakened, many corporations have cut digital ad expenditure, and Twitter has likely always been a modest part of Apple’s budget. If Musk succeeds in converting Twitter’s core business to subscription revenue and needs to give Apple a 30% cut, Apple’s impact on Twitter may be considerably greater.

Musk tweeted, “Apple charges a concealed 30% tax on anything you buy through their App Store?” In another tweet, he showed a motorway exit with two lanes: “pay 30%” and “go to war.” Elon’s ancient automobile slid toward him.

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