Elon Musk Says Apple Has Threatened to Remove Twitter From App Store

Apple has threatened to remove Twitter from the App Store but allegedly won't say why, according to a tweet from Elon Musk.

Apple has also threatened to withhold Twitter from its App Store, but won’t tell us why

Additionally, Musk says that Apple has mostly stopped advertising on Twitter.


Apple has mostly stopped advertising on Twitter. Do they hate free speech in America? What’s going on here @tim_cook?



Since taking over Twitter, Musk has aimed to restore free speech on the platform. Previously, the social network had been accused of silencing speech they disagreed with or took offence to. Musk will purportedly allow any speech that doesn't break the law. He has already promised to provide general amnesty to accounts that were previously suspended, as long as they have not broken the law or engaged in egregious spam.

Yoel Roth, former Head of Trust and Safety at Twitter, recently revealed that the real barrier to Musk's free speech Twitter is Apple and Google. Both are said to wield enormous influence over the company, shaping the decisions it makes.


Removing Twitter from the App Store would likely result in significant antitrust scrutiny for Apple. The European Union has already found Apple to have abused its position as a gatekeeper and has passed legislation that will soon force the company to allow sideloading and third party app stores. Apple is also facing numerous other antitrust investigations and lawsuits.

Musk has started a poll of Twitter users, asking them if Apple should publish its censorship actions. Right now the poll is sitting at 86% YES. He's also criticized Apple's 30% cut of in-app purchases.

Did you know Apple puts a secret 30% tax on everything you buy through their App Store?

Finally, Musk has said if Apple does remove Twitter from the App Store, he would consider making an alternative phone.

It's possible that Apple and Twitter are really clashing over the 30% cut Apple would take from Musk's $8/month Verified check subscription. Developers have long criticized Apple over this "tax" but the company has rigorously fought to maintain it.

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