Billionaire Elon Musk just scooped up Twitter. Could Apple be next?
On Tuesday, the Tesla CEO took to his new social media company to criticize the Apple app store and the extremely high fees that it charges. Apple takes a 30% cut of revenue from transactions conducted on its app store. European regulators have lodged a complaint against the tech company, claiming that Apple “abused” its leading market position to squash competition.
Elon Musk Calls Apple App Fees A ‘30% Tax On The Internet’
Literally 10 times higher than it should be
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 3, 2022
The SpaceX founder joins a growing list of tech leaders that have criticized Apple’s high fees. On Tuesday, Musk tweeted, “Apple’s store is like having a 30% tax on the Internet. Definitely not ok.” He later added, “Literally 10 times higher than it should be.”
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg had previously criticized Apple in a June 2021 blog post, when he said that Facebook wouldn’t charge creators fees for the work they shared through 2023. “When we do introduce a revenue share, it will be less than the 30 percent that Apple and others take,” he said at the time.
How do you think your the person to determine whether he is the person to determine the percentage or not??? That is the real question
— 🥂UhOh🥂 (@MeetTheFockers1) May 3, 2022
“Sorry sir but why do you think you are a proper person to determine what’s a fair percentage?” one user asked.
Another user replied, “How do you think [you’re] the person to determine whether he is the person to determine the percentage or not??? That is the real question.”
Do something about it.
Buy Apple.
— Dr. Haryax Pathak (@HaryaxPathak) May 3, 2022
Dr. Haryax Pathak commented, “Do something about it. Buy Apple.”
Although it’s doubtful that Musk could buy Apple, he did joke about some other companies that he might buy not too long ago.
Elon Musk Says He’s Going To Buy Coca-Cola ‘To Put The Cocaine Back In’
Next I’m buying Coca-Cola to put the cocaine back in
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 28, 2022
Only two days after his Twitter bid was accepted, Musk joked about buying Coca-Cola. “Next I’m buying Coca-Cola to put the cocaine back in,” Musk tweeted. One user responded with a photo of the first publicly-sold bottle back in 1894. The product was said to have contained 3.5 grams of cocaine. They asked Musk to “Bring it back.”
This is the first publicly sold bottle of Coca-Cola in 1894 which contained 3.5 grams of cocaine. Bring it back. pic.twitter.com/Q05JqrCrel
— Pranay Pathole (@PPathole) April 28, 2022
Musk replied to the photo, writing that the old-school Coke “kicks Red Bull’s a—.”
Who wants “wiiiings” when you can #UnleashTheBeast!? And since you’re $44B light, have a case or ten on us.⁰⁰We’ll throw in a fridge to keep ‘em cold!
— Monster Energy (@MonsterEnergy) April 28, 2022
Monster Energy commented, “Who wants ‘wiiings’ when you can #UnleashTheBeast!? And since you’re $44B light, have a case or ten on us. We’ll throw in a fridge to keep ‘em cold!”
One user asked, “Why are you trying to give a billionaire free stuff?”
Some sci-fi that actually features sci-fi would be great
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 28, 2022
The co-creator of Dogecoin, Billy Markus, uses the Twitter name “Shibetoshi Nakamoto” in reference to Satoshi Nakamoto, the pseudonym used by the inventors of Bitcoin. He tweeted, “Can you buy fox I want another season of ‘firefly.’”
The series became a cult classic when it was launched in 2002, but it was canceled after only one season. Musk replied, “Some sci-fi that actually features sci-fi would be great.”
Listen, I can’t do miracles ok pic.twitter.com/z7dvLMUXy8
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 28, 2022
Musk also shared what looked to be an altered photo on Twitter that read, “Now I’m going to buy McDonald’s and fix all of the ice cream machines…”
“Listen, I can’t do miracles ok,” Musk responded.