After the takeover by Elon Musk, a number of advertising partners jumped off the social media platform Twitter – including Apple. Now the company is said to be even thinking about banning the service from the App Store.
Apple has threatened to stop selling the text service’s app through its online store, according to new Twitter boss Elon Musk. As part of a series of tweets aimed at Apple CEO Tim Cook, among others, Musk wrote on Monday, “Apple has also threatened to keep Twitter in its App Store, but won’t tell us why.”
Can Apple Just Block Twitter?
In a previous tweet, Musk explained that Apple has largely stopped to advertise on Twitter. It goes on to say, “Do you hate free speech in America?” and addresses the question to Apple CEO Tim Cook. In subsequent tweets, the Tesla boss accused the iPhone and Mac maker of pressuring content controls. Apple has every right to suspend Twitter from the App Store if it feels the service isn’t controlling hate speech and incitement to violence. For similar reasons, conservative social media app Parler was removed from the App Store in 2021. Apple’s Requirements for developers are quite clear: “Apps should not contain content that is offensive, insensitive, disturbing, nauseating, tasteless or just plain disgusting.” TECHBOOK has contacted Apple for comment, but has not received a response.
Musk also repeatedly criticized the 30 percent fee that Apple charges all major developers who offer in-app purchases. Twitter recently launched a new subscription under Musk that allows users to buy the coveted blue tick. According to Apple’s guidelines, Twitter must also give up 30 percent of the revenue for this subscription.
Tension between Twitter and Apple is rising
Apple regularly enforces its content rules. This has led, for example, to the online removal of the apps Gab and Parler, which are popular with conservatives in the USA. Parler returned after the makers said they had adjusted the content and revised the control structures. Apple spent $131,600 on advertising on Twitter between November 10-16, up from $220,800 between October 16-22, according to advertising research firm Pathmatics. So the week before Musk completed the purchase of Twitter.
Since the $44 billion acquisition, a slew of companies from Audi of America to General Mills have either stopped or stopped advertising on Twitter. The platform has suffered a massive drop in revenue, 90 percent of which is driven by advertising, according to Musk. The billionaire blamed activists who had exerted pressure. Musk describes himself as a champion of free speech. In the past few days, among other things, he has lifted the Twitter ban on former President Donald Trump. Civil rights groups then called on advertisers to stay away from the service.