Elon Musk Says Apple ‘Threatened’ To Boot Twitter From App Store—Here’s Why That Might Happen

Topline

Twitter owner Elon Musk said Monday that Apple has “threatened to withhold Twitter from its App Store,” as the billionaire and tech giant appear on a collision course for an all-out conflict while concerns grow that Twitter’s new, loose moderation rules might run afoul of Apple’s guidelines.

Key Facts

Musk made the claim in a tweet, saying Apple “won’t tell us why” Twitter might be removed from the App Store.

Apple did not respond to a request for comment from Forbes seeking clarity.

Twitter’s content moderation policies have loosened significantly since Musk took over the platform last month, apparently in line with his vow to make Twitter a haven for “free speech,” and he has vowed “amnesty” to allow essentially all banned accounts back on the platform, which would seem to include accounts suspended for hate speech.

Musk made several disparaging tweets against Apple on Monday after he said the company cut back on Twitter ad spending, at one point asking, “Do they hate free speech in America?”

Musk has also taken issue with the 30% share Apple takes for in-app purchases for apps making at least $1 million a year through the App Store, and tweeted an image Monday suggesting he will “go to war” with Apple rather than continue to pay the 30% fee.

Key Background

Apple has a lengthy list of guidelines for apps listed in the App Store to follow but at the top is a warning against “objectionable content,” which states, “Apps should not include content that is offensive, insensitive, upsetting, intended to disgust, in exceptionally poor taste or just plain creepy.” Musk said earlier this month Twitter will allow for “freedom of speech, but not freedom of reach,” stating that hate speech will be allowed but Twitter will demonetize and not promote tweets with hateful comments. Concerns about the future of Twitter have prompted a slew of high-profile companies to cut back on ad spending, including Ford, Pfizer and United Airlines. Apple has taken action against social media companies for lax content moderation policies in the past, notably suspending right-wing platform Parler following the January 6 attack on the Capitol for “dangerous and harmful content.” Parler was reinstated in May 2021 after tightening moderation measures.

What To Watch For

Musk tweeted Friday he will develop an “alternative phone” if Twitter is banned from the App Store and the Google Play store, which is used on Android devices.

Tangent

Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said Monday the “Musk vs. Apple new battle is not what investors want to see,” and will likely serve to cause a further hit to Tesla’s stock, which has declined almost 50% over the past year.

Further Reading

Parler Is Back On Apple’s App Store Following Post-Jan. 6 Ban (Forbes)

Musk Says Apple Cutting Twitter Ads—Here Are The Other Companies Rethinking Their Ties (Forbes)

Elon Musk Says He’s Granting ‘Amnesty’ For Nearly All Banned Twitter Accounts (Forbes)

‘Freedom Of Speech, But Not Freedom Of Reach’: Musk Reinstates Kathy Griffin And Jordan Peterson Amid New Policy — But Not Trump Yet (Forbes)