Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, has criticized Apple for its perceived lack of innovation and heavy reliance on the iPhone's success over the years. Speaking on a podcast with Joe Rogan, Zuckerberg took aim at Apple, accusing the company of "milking" the iPhone for nearly two decades without introducing groundbreaking advancements.

"Steve Jobs revolutionized the industry with the iPhone, but it feels like Apple has been riding on that achievement ever since," Zuckerberg commented. He argued that Apple's focus has been limited to incremental upgrades to the iPhone, while companies like Meta are prioritizing innovative technologies such as the metaverse and virtual reality.

Criticism of App Store Policies and Privacy Rules

Zuckerberg also expressed frustration with Apple's App Store policies and privacy measures, which he claims negatively impact Meta's advertising revenue. He accused Apple of using its dominance to enforce "arbitrary rules" that stifle competition.

Apple maintains that its policies are designed with user privacy and security as top priorities. However, Mark Zuckerberg suggests that the company could further enhance user privacy by investing in robust security measures and cutting-edge encryption technologies. Instead, Zuckerberg argues that Apple uses these concerns as a justification to exert control and limit competitors."

He added that Apple's restrictive policies hinder Meta's profitability, suggesting that Meta's profits could increase by 50% if Apple relaxed its policies.

Ongoing Rivalry Over Privacy and Revenue

Ongoing Rivalry Over Privacy and Revenue

The rivalry between Meta and Apple is longstanding, particularly regarding privacy. Apple's introduction of the App Tracking Transparency feature in 2021 significantly impacted Facebook's ability to track user data, a critical component of its advertising model. Mark Zuckerberg argued that the change had a devastating effect on small businesses, which heavily rely on targeted ads to connect with their target audience and drive sales.

Zuckerberg also criticized Apple's 30% transaction fee on App Store purchases, describing it as anti-competitive and harmful to both developers and consumers. He claimed that Apple profits by imposing these fees and pushing users toward additional purchases, such as AirPods, while restricting compatibility with other products.

"They’ve made cool products like AirPods, but they’ve deliberately prevented others from creating accessories that integrate seamlessly with the iPhone," Zuckerberg remarked.

Comparing Vision Pro to Meta's Innovations

Zuckerberg commented on Apple’s Vision Pro headset, which has reportedly struggled in the U.S. market. He acknowledged the effort as one of Apple’s more significant attempts at innovation in recent years but noted its limitations.

"The Vision Pro is a step forward, but it’s not perfect," Zuckerberg said, contrasting it with Meta’s continued development of virtual reality devices like the Meta Quest. "We've learned from our own early product launches that weren't perfect. While I don't want to be overly critical, it's clear that there's still significant room for growth and improvement in this space."

A Broader Battle of Business Models

The conflict between Meta and Apple reflects their fundamentally different business approaches. Apple has leaned heavily on privacy as a selling point for its products, while Meta’s model revolves around collecting and leveraging user data for advertising. These competing priorities have led to high-profile clashes, with Zuckerberg frequently calling out Apple for practices he sees as stifling competition and innovation.

As the rivalry continues, Zuckerberg’s latest remarks highlight his belief that Meta is driving the future of technology, while Apple remains tethered to the legacy of its past successes.