Mark Zuckerberg Wanted Facebook To Inflict Pain On Apple Report
The rivalry between tech giants like Facebook and Apple has reached genuinely personal levels according to Wall Street Journal report. Mark Zuckerberg reportedly told his team they needed to “inflict pain” on Apple after Tim Cook made public comments criticising Facebooks business model. Thats some proper corporate warfare language right there.
The feud traces back to Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2018. When asked what he would have done in Zuckerbergs position Cook said he wouldnt have been in that situation in the first place. Zuckerberg publicly called Cooks comments “extremely glib” and “not at all aligned with the truth.”
Behind closed doors he was evidently harsher. “We need to inflict pain” Zuckerberg told his team according to sources familiar with exchange.
The iOS 14 Privacy War
Current battleground centres on Apples App Tracking Transparency feature in iOS 14. Update requires apps to ask explicit permission before tracking users across other applications. Facebooks entire advertising business depends on exactly this kind of tracking.
Facebook estimates the change could reduce Audience Network advertising revenue by 50 percent. Company has taken out full-page newspaper ads, deployed lobbyists, filed antitrust complaints against Apple. Cook responded saying valuing engagement over privacy leads to “polarisation” and “violence.”
These are not subtle shots being fired.
Considering Antitrust Lawsuit
Facebook reportedly considered joining Epic Games in legal battle against Apples App Store practices. While company ultimately stayed on sidelines its been providing documents to Epic and assisting where possible.
Reports suggest Facebook has been preparing its own potential antitrust suit against Apple arguing privacy changes are anticompetitive and self-serving. Company claims Apple uses privacy as pretence to damage Facebooks ad business while building its own.
Where This All Goes
Tension between the two seems unlikely to dissipate. Theyre increasingly direct competitors in hardware, software, services. Both see augmented reality and virtual reality as next major computing platform. Neither wants the other controlling that future.
Apple has leverage through iOS. Facebook has leverage through user base and businesses depending on its advertising. Something has to give eventually. When billionaire CEOs start using language like “inflict pain” rest of us should probably pay attention.
