Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s recent comments on the Joe Rogan podcast have reignited the ongoing rivalry between Meta (formerly Facebook) and Apple. In a direct critique of the tech giant, Zuckerberg accused Apple of stagnation and restrictive policies that hinder both innovation and competition in the tech industry. His remarks come as Apple is facing increasing regulatory scrutiny from both U.S. and European authorities over its App Store practices.
During the podcast, Zuckerberg expressed disappointment over Apple’s lack of new innovations, specifically targeting the iPhone, which was initially revolutionized by Steve Jobs. “Steve Jobs invented the iPhone, and now they’re just kind of sitting on it 20 years later,” Zuckerberg said. “They haven’t really invented anything great in a while.” Zuckerberg’s comments reflect frustration that Apple, once known for its boundary-pushing technology, has failed to produce a significant game-changer in recent years.
Zuckerberg went on to suggest that Apple’s influence over the app ecosystem—particularly its 30% commission on app sales through the App Store and its strict app approval policies—was limiting Meta’s growth. “Without Apple’s random rules, our profits could double,” he claimed, referring to the impact of Apple’s App Store fees and app tracking restrictions on Meta’s advertising revenue.
Apple’s Challenges: Regulatory Scrutiny and Competition
Zuckerberg’s criticism of Apple comes at a time when the company is facing mounting regulatory challenges, particularly concerning its App Store policies. In the U.S., the Department of Justice is pursuing an antitrust case against Apple, alleging that the tech giant has an unfair monopoly on app distribution through its iOS platform. At the same time, European Union regulators are imposing stricter rules on Apple’s ecosystem, requiring changes to its policies that have long been considered anti-competitive.
For years, Apple and Meta have been locked in a simmering feud, with tensions intensifying in recent years due to differences in business practices and privacy policies. This long-standing rivalry began to escalate publicly in 2014 when Apple CEO Tim Cook criticized Facebook’s data collection practices, setting the stage for further conflict.
The Impact of Apple’s Privacy Features on Meta
The conflict between Apple and Meta became more pronounced in 2021 with the launch of iOS 14.5, which introduced a new privacy feature that required apps to obtain explicit user permission for tracking across other apps and websites. This move significantly impacted Meta’s advertising revenue, as the company’s business model relies heavily on personalized ads driven by user data.
Zuckerberg reportedly responded to the new policy by telling his executives that Facebook needed to “inflict pain” on Apple in retaliation, highlighting the frustration within Meta over the negative financial effects of Apple’s privacy changes. The altered tracking rules have led to increased difficulty for Meta in targeting ads effectively, as many users opted out of tracking, reducing the company’s ability to collect valuable data for advertisers.
The Vision Pro Headset and Meta’s Competition
More recently, Zuckerberg has criticized Apple’s new product offerings, particularly the Vision Pro headset. During Meta’s first-quarter 2023 earnings call, Zuckerberg questioned the market potential of the headset, suggesting that consumers would be more interested in “fashionable AI glasses without a display” rather than Apple’s high-tech but bulky mixed-reality device. Meta, which has heavily invested in the metaverse and virtual reality (VR) technology through its Oculus products, views Apple’s Vision Pro as a direct competitor to its own vision of the future of immersive technology.
Zuckerberg’s comments about Apple’s Vision Pro come at a critical juncture for both companies, as the virtual and augmented reality industries are gaining increasing attention. While Meta has aggressively pursued VR and the metaverse, Apple’s late entry into the space has sparked interest in how it will position itself in this competitive market. Zuckerberg’s remarks may reflect Meta’s desire to position itself as the leader in immersive technology, contrasting it with Apple’s more conservative approach.
A Rivalry That Shows No Signs of Easing
Zuckerberg’s criticisms of Apple underscore the ongoing tension between two of Silicon Valley’s most powerful companies. From privacy disputes and app store commissions to competition in virtual reality, their rivalry seems to be only intensifying. While Apple continues to build its empire with new hardware and a closed ecosystem, Meta is pushing forward with its vision of a more open metaverse, relying on social media and virtual experiences to drive its future.
As regulatory pressure mounts on Apple, Zuckerberg’s public comments may be part of a larger strategy to challenge Apple’s dominance in the tech world, especially as both companies vie for influence in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. For now, the feud remains far from over, and it’s clear that the battle between Apple and Meta will continue to shape the tech industry in the years to come.
