CEO Elon Musk declared publicly, yesterday, that he has the ability to create a new mobile platform if necessary. His statement was provoked by a comment made by Liz Wheeler, a Twitter user, who said;
“If Apple & Google boot Twitter from their app stores, @elonmusk should produce his own smartphone. Half the country would happily ditch the biased, snooping iPhone & Android. The man builds rockets to Mars, a silly little smartphone should be easy, right?“
To this, the CEO responded; “I certainly hope it does not come to that, but, yes, if there is no other choice, I will make an alternative phone.”
Some fans were supported Musk’s provocative speech, or should I say threat to Apple and Google). The CEO’s response was also met by a widespread disdain, most especially tech journalists who perceived it as hate speech.
What sparked this conversation was actually Elon Musk’s plan to turn Twitter into a subscription service. In an email to his employees Musk wants to reduce the company’s reliance on advertising by shifting its business model to one in which subscriptions account for at least half of income.
This creates a risk that Twitter could violate Apple or Google’s app rules in a way that slows down the company or even gets its software booted from app stores.
A New York post confirmed Apple’s Senior executive, Phil Schiller, who runs the company’s App Store has deleted his Twitter account — fueling speculation that the iPhone maker is growing dissatisfied with Elon Musk’s freewheeling style since taking over the San Francisco-based social media app.
The chaotic layoffs, the bungled introduction of the blue tick feature, the decision to restore Trump’s and other previously terminated accounts, and Musk’s own tweets, which are filled with conspiracy-theory talking points, are just a few examples of what could make Schiller be taking things personal with the new Twitter CEO.
In this moment, Phil Schiller’s choice may be driven by his own values. However, it’s more likely a signal to Musk, who is working to transform Twitter into a subscription service.
Apple has the right, per the App Store’s conditions, to take a 15%-30% cut of any in-app purchases made through the Twitter app. That is, the $8/month Musk has been wanting in exchange for a blue tick; Apple might get a few cash if it happens. It’s the same if we begin to dissect Google’s Playstore policies on apps.
As Musk made plain in a tweet from a few weeks ago, he is not content with the current situation. Twitter can’t afford to pay an enormous Apple (or Google) tax right now because of its tremendous debt and the loss of its advertising revenue.
Furthermore, there is the issue of content and reputation. Apps that Apple and Google have determined violate their policies against “hate speech” and “extremism” have been previously rejected.
The question that’s left is; will Elon Musk and the whole Twitter drama ever reach an end? Will the new CEO ever finish up what he started?
