Accuses her of using her power over phones to force developers to follow "App Store" rules.
"Facebook" is moving to sue "Apple" for "anti-competitive practices"
"Facebook" hired a lawyers' office to prepare the indictment file against "Apple." ■ Archive
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Facebook has been preparing a file for months ago to launch prosecutions against "Apple" because of what it sees as anti-competitive practices, according to "The Information" website, in light of the escalation of tension between the group that manufactures iPhone phones and several major companies.
The Information stated that the giant social network used a lawyer’s office to prepare a file accusing “Apple” of “exploiting its power in the smart phone market to force application developers to follow the rules of its online store for applications (App Store), without being applied to (Apple) applications. ) ».
And will force the latest update «Apple» this year for its operating system «iOS», application developers to show transparency in the collection or use of personal data for users.
The new rules also require apps to request user permission to track their impact across the network, which is an essential feature of advertising targeting.
However, application developers, from social networks to video games, to e-commerce, entertainment and professional services, have no choice but to go through the "Apple" online store, to reach hundreds of millions of users with iPhones and iPads.
The biggest opponents
A Facebook spokesperson said, "We have said many times in the past, we think that (Apple) is acting in an anti-competitive way by using its control over the App Store to increase its profits at the expense of small developers and companies."
"(Apple) has a full interest in exploiting its dominant position to interfere in the way our applications and other applications work," said the president of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, in the past hours while presenting the quarterly results of the network to analysts.
And they do so constantly, by granting concessions for their services at the expense of the growth of millions of companies in the world. ”
He pointed out that «the changes to the system (IOS 14) mean that many small and medium companies, will not be able to target their customers through ads adapted to them.
And (Apple) can say that they are doing this to help people, but it is clearly in their interest. ”
It seems that Zuckerberg is treating "Apple" as one of his "biggest opponents."
Conspiracy theories
For his part, the president of "Apple", Tim Cook, during a press conference in Brussels about the confidentiality of data, blamed "Facebook" without naming it, denouncing "conspiracy theories fueled by algorithms", according to statements reported by the American press.
"If a company he founded builds on its ability to cheat users and exploit data, and on options that do not really give any choice, it does not deserve our praise but contempt," Cook said.
Economic model
The economic model of major digital platforms, such as Facebook and Google, relies on free services and targeted advertising targeting on a very large scale.
As for Apple, its Silicon Valley neighbor, it derives its revenue from sales of electronic devices, as well as from subscription-based electronic services (including storage and music services).
"Facebook" is not alone in a confrontation with "Apple", as several companies have been taking on the latter for years, collecting a large commission of up to 30% on the financial operations that their users make through the "App Store".
Epic Games, the developer of the famous video game "Fortnite", tried to circumvent the built-in payment system in "IOS", but "Apple" banned this application through its devices until the summer of 2021. This issue is still the subject of a ongoing trial.
Data privacy
Apple did not respond to an attempt to clarify its opinion on the issue.
It consistently affirms its concern for the privacy of data, saying that the commission it charges is equal to that of other platforms, including Google's application store, and is necessary to ensure the safety of financial operations.
The US authorities accuse most of the giant technology groups of exploiting their dominant position in several sectors.
There are currently ongoing prosecutions against "Google" and "Facebook".
The economic model of "Facebook" and "Google" relies on free services and advertising targeting.
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