As many advertisers are ready to leave Twitter – along with Twitter employees who either have been let go or quit – Elon Musk is now throwing punches at Apple. 

A couple of days ago, Musk used Twitter to call out the tech giant. He also used his platform to send snarky remarks to Tim Cook on a series of different issues. 

The issues included Apple’s lack of advertising on Twitter as well as the amount of fees the company charges developers to launch apps in the App Store.

This is just the latest of an endless stream of activity at Twitter’s headquarters. The social media company is also planning a relaunch of its Twitter Blue subscription. The service verifies users with the blue checkmark for $8 a month. 

It all began last Monday when Musk tweeted that Apple had mostly stopped advertising on the social media platform. The CEO then followed with another tweet directly at Tim Cook asking if the tech giant hates free speech in the U.S. 

Then, Musk said that Apple is threatening to keep Twitter from its App Store. In a separate tweet, he criticized the amount of fees Apple charges new developers who create apps for Apple products such as iPads and iPhones. 

Apple declined to comment. 

In a press conference, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took Musk’s side, saying that if Apple decided to remove Twitter from its App Store, it would be a big mistake.

He believes the move would be an exercise in tech monopolization. One that would instigate a response from the American Congress. 

Ohio’s Senator-elect J.D. Vance also tweeted his support on Monday, saying that no civilized country would allow Apple to withhold Twitter from its online store. 

This is hardly the first time Apple has ever faced opposition over its developers fees. Even before Musk. Back in 2020, Facebook called Apple out on a supposedly 30% app store fee, which the tech company required developers to pay. 

In 2021, Facebook stated that it would not charge any developer fees from creators within its platform until 2023. 

There was also a well known battle between Apple and Epic Games – the company behind Fortnite. The mobile version of the popular game was removed from Apple’s online store after Epic made it possible for players to purchase it outside of the App Store. 

The gaming company sued Apple over the decision, and last year, a judge ruled in favor of Epic. He stated that the tech company must allow game developers to offer different payment options outside of their online store.

The judge, however, did not say whether or not Apple holds a monopoly on apps. Epic then filed an appeal stating that the tech company does, in fact, monopolizes the app industry and makes it harder for the competition. 

According to reports from Bloomberg, Apple spends a large sum in advertising on Twitter. It is said that the tech giant spends more than $100 million a year on ads at the social media platform. 

Yet, the tech company continues with the same rigid guidelines it had for years on which apps it allows on its products. That means that if Musk decides to loosen up the content moderation on Twitter as he intends to do, it could lead to its removal from the App Store. 

Twitter is on the brink of relaunching its Twitter Blue subscription services. The feature allows all users to get verified with the blue checkmark, plus a few other perks. Read on to learn more about it and if it’s worth your money.