Mark Zuckerberg Critiques Apple's Lack of Innovation amid Ongoing Rivalry

Meta Platforms Inc. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has recently criticized Apple Inc. for its perceived stagnation in innovation and its restrictive business practices. This statement came during an appearance on the popular Joe Rogan podcast, further highlighting the long-standing competitive relationship between these two major tech companies.

Recent Criticism: Zuckerberg remarked that Apple has not introduced any significant innovations in recent years, stating, "Steve Jobs invented the iPhone and now they’re just kind of sitting on it 20 years later." He emphasized that Apple hasn’t really created anything impressive for a long while. Furthermore, he claimed that without Apple’s stringent regulations and the 30% commission on the App Store, Meta’s profits could potentially double.

These comments come at a time when Apple is under increased scrutiny and regulatory pressure regarding its App Store practices. The U.S. Department of Justice is pursuing antitrust actions against Apple, while the European Union is enforcing new regulations that are set to impact its tightly controlled ecosystem.

Background on the Rivalry: The tensions between Apple and Meta date back to 2014, when Apple CEO Tim Cook first criticized the data collection methods used by Facebook, now owned by Meta. The situation became more contentious following the 2018 Cambridge Analytica scandal, during which Cook publicly expressed his beliefs about Facebook’s handling of user data, indicating that he would not support similar privacy discrepancies at Apple.

The conflict intensified in 2021 when Apple implemented new privacy features mandating user consent for tracking apps. This move had a substantial impact on Meta’s advertising revenue. Reports indicate that Zuckerberg reacted strongly to this development, suggesting that Facebook needed to "inflict pain" on Apple in retaliation.

Additionally, during Meta’s earnings call in the first quarter of 2023, Zuckerberg raised questions about the potential success of Apple’s Vision Pro headset, suggesting that consumers might be more interested in stylish AI glasses that do not rely on a display.

For investors, this rivalry underscores the fundamental differences in business strategies between the two companies: Meta relies heavily on advertising and data analytics, while Apple focuses on hardware and prioritizes user privacy. Recent market activity shows that Meta’s stock has been performing well, climbing significantly, while Apple has experienced a slight decline in its stock price.

Both companies continue to shape the tech landscape, and their approaches reflect different philosophies about innovation, privacy, and user experience.

Zuckerberg, Apple, Innovation