Elon Musk has come out on the side of Epic Games, and declared in a pair of tweets that Apple's App Store is effectively taxing the internet.
Tesla's Elon Musk
Following claims that Tim Cook rejected his bid to become Apple CEO -- and allegedly did so with a profanity-laden tirade -- Tesla's Elon Musk has now tweeted his support for Apple's rival, Epic Games.
Apple app store fees are a de facto global tax on the Internet. Epic is right.
-- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 30, 2021
Musk is referring to the trial earlier in 2021 between Epic Games, the developer of "Fortnite," and Apple. Epic claimed that Apple forced it off the App Store, where Apple argued that Epic itself revealed it had planned to be removed and begin legal proceedings.
It is already a long and drawn-out saga, and is not likely to be resolved soon. However, the case has also become a lightning rod for multiple and international accusations of anticompetitive actions by Apple with the App Store.
Musk expanded on his take in a follow-up tweet.
"Normally, competitive pressure would force Apple to lower fees, but Apple & Android have a duopoly on phones. When interface familiarity is taken into account, it's basically a monopoly," Musk said. "The effective 30% sales tax Apple charges is hidden from users or there would be an outcry."