Apple has always opted to maintain as much control over its products as possible. Its software has always been closed-source, compared to Android's open-source systems. The iPhone makers event went so far as to create a specially-designed screw, called the Pentalobe screw, to prevent individuals from cracking open their devices.
When it comes to the App Store, Apple has maintained this intensive control, not allowing users to download apps from any other sources in addition to ensuring that potential apps adhere to a strict set of guidelines.
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Though he's far from the first to complain about Apple's App Store control, Elon Musk Tweets with a far louder voice than most.
"If Apple competes against the whole world, Apple will have the whole world against it," Musk Tweeted June 13. "This is not a winning scenario."
The brief criticism came in response to the news that Damus -- a decentralized social media platform -- is facing removal from the App Store.
Apple told the app developers that its "zap" feature -- which allows users to send money in appreciation of a post -- is in violation of Apple's guidelines. Apple gave Damus two weeks to bring the platform into compliance; if it does not, it will be removed from the App Store.
"This is right before we’re about to give our talk at the Oslo Freedom Forum on how decentralized social networks with lightning integration are bringing financial freedom to the masses ... pretty sus," Damus wrote.
The app is backed by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, who said that "this seems to be a misunderstanding by Apple of how this feature works and what it's for."
"It's a critical part of the future of the internet. It has the capacity to bring people around the world into the economy without the traditional gatekeepers."
Damus has since spoken with Apple and has said that it will have to remove the option for users to zap posts. The feature will only be enabled on profiles going forward.
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