“What’s going on here, Tim Cook?”: Elon Musk declares war on Apple

Since taking over Twitter, new owner Elon Musk has been using the platform to stir up new controversies: Musk has attacked the tech company Apple in a series of tweets.

First, the billionaire asked if Apple hated free speech in America — since the company had largely stopped advertising on Twitter. He then claimed that Apple threatened to remove the Twitter app from the App Store without explanation.

“What’s going on here, Tim Cook?” Musk addressed the company boss in one of his tweets. When asked by a user if Apple was threatening Twitter’s availability on the App Store or making content moderation requirements, Musk replied “yes.” Apple initially did not respond to Musk’s tweets.

100 major ad partners have apparently suspended ads

According to the independent organization “Media Matters,” half of the top 100 ad partners have now suspended or “apparently suspended” their ads on the network due to development concerns. The main question is how Twitter will act in the future against hate messages and the spread of fake news.

Musk bought Twitter for about $44 billion in late October and has pushed his ideas with the online service ever since. This also includes the fact that, in his view, Twitter has restricted freedom of expression too much in recent years. In recent years, Twitter has taken increasingly consistent action against hate speech, incitement to violence and incorrect information about the corona virus.

On the other hand, Musk also opened up several right-wing accounts that had been blocked for homophobic and racist statements, among other things. He recently had Donald Trump’s suspended Twitter account reinstated.

Conflict with Apple has been brewing for some time

Musk’s allegations against the previous Twitter boardroom coincide with claims from the US right that conservative views are being stifled by online platforms. They often cite the right to free speech in the United States. However, American lawyers have always emphasized that the government should not restrict the right to free speech. On the other hand, companies such as online platforms have the right to establish their own rules of communication based on this.

A conflict has been brewing between Musk and Apple for some time now. Musk is a thorn in the side of the 15 to 30 percent levy due on app platforms for subscription revenue generated within the app.

He announced that Twitter would focus more on subscription revenue than advertising. He again attacked a “secret 30 percent levy” that Apple takes on App Store purchases. In a photo he indicated that he wanted to go to war against it.

As usual, after Musk’s tweets, his fans formed at the online service, who also attacked Apple.