During a recent interview with Joe Rogan, the CEO of Meta, Mark Zuckerberglaunched new criticisms of Apple, accusing it of lack of innovation since the days of the first iPhones. The statements, which come in the context of Meta’s changing moderation policies, have fueled confrontation between the two tech giants over issues such as innovation, privacy and business model.
Zuckerberg acknowledged the success of the iPhone, pointing out that the device was launched around the same time as Facebook took shape in 2004. However, he expressed clear annoyance that Apple had consolidated its position through user privacyan aspect that has put Meta in difficulty, whose strategy revolves around user data.
Over the years, Meta has tried several avenues to access iPhone users’ data, from launching a failed phone with HTC to using VPNs. However, Apple has consistently thwarted these practices, adopting updates that have made it increasingly difficult for Meta to collect data. It is therefore not surprising that Zuckerberg calls Apple’s innovation “stuck in time” with a 20-year-old product, ignoring the fact that Meta’s business model is also based on a product of equal seniority: Facebook.
Zuckerberg also criticized the cost and features of the Vision Pro from Apple, describing it as an expensive product and less effective than Meta devices such as the Ray-Ban Stories or the Meta Quest. He acknowledged the superiority of the Vision Pro’s display for watching movies, but called the device inadequate for interaction and gaming, ignoring its use as an advanced productivity tool.
Zuckerberg’s remarks seem to underestimate the fact that Vision Pro and Meta devices belong to different categories. While the Vision Pro aims to revolutionize the way we work and interact with digital content, Meta’s products are more oriented towards social and entertainment.
Another focal point of the interview was the“Apple Tax”the 30% commission applied on in-app purchases. Zuckerberg reiterated that this tax limits the profits of companies like Meta, which in the past has tried to circumvent it by using external links. However, these criticisms ring hollow considering that Meta itself has adopted equally controversial business models, such as the introduction of sponsored content and aggressive use of user data.
The interview comes at a sensitive time for Meta, which recently abandoned fact-checking and loosened restrictions on offensive content, a move that has generated strong criticism and led many users to seek alternatives to Facebook. These changes were perceived as an attempt by Meta to gain favor with the president-elect, Donald Trump, by adopting policies aligned with his positions.
Apple, for its part, has moved more discreetly, with symbolic gestures such as a donation from Tim Cook to Trump’s inauguration fund. However, the rivalry between the two companies looks set to intensify, with Meta looking to use the political climate to influence tech regulations in the US.
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Source: www.iphoneitalia.com
