Status: 29.11.2022 7:45 a.m
Twitter owner Musk has threatened to “go to war” with Apple. The accusation: The US technology giant wants to remove the online service from the App Store. In addition, Apple exercises control over content.
The new Twitter owner Elon Musk continues to heat up the conflict with the iPhone group Apple. In a series of tweets, the tech billionaire first questioned whether Apple hated free speech in America – given that the company largely stopped advertising on Twitter after selling the platform to him. He accused Apple of censorship and abuse of a dominant position.
He then claimed that Apple threatened to remove the Twitter app from the App Store without giving any reason: “They refuse to tell us why,” Musk wrote on Twitter. He attached a meme to his testimony showing a car with “Elon” written on it, taking a freeway exit in the direction of “declare war.” This meme can no longer be found.
“Revolution Against Online Censorship”
The billionaire described his tweets against Apple as a “revolution against online censorship in America”. Among other things, the Tesla boss wants to relax content moderation on Twitter.
Musk recently reinstated Donald Trump’s suspended Twitter account and other controversial Twitter accounts, including those of psychologist Jordan Peterson and conservative transgender parody site Babylon Bee.
Advertising revenue plummeted since takeover
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.
Since the $44 billion acquisition, a slew of companies from Audi of America to General Mills have either stopped or stopped advertising on Twitter. Apple spent $131,600 on advertising on Twitter between November 10 and 16, according to advertising research firm Pathmatics. From October 16 through October 22 – the week before Musk completed the purchase of Twitter – it was $220,800.
No comment from Apple
A statement from Apple was initially not available. The Group regularly enforces the implementation of its rules for content. 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.
Is Twitter Ejected From The Apple App Store?
Nils Dampz, ARD Los Angeles, 29.11.2022 7:54 a.m