A difficult month for Apple (AAPL) stock, marked by high volatility and market conditions, may be about to get even worse.
Many high-growth tech companies are struggling right now, as the recent White House tariffs threaten to complicate their operations. However, Apple has managed to avoid being impacted by these policies, due in part to CEO Tim Cook’s discussion with President Donald Trump.
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This development sparked some momentum for Apple stock, prompting speculation that the company could survive the trade war with minimal impact. However, Meta Platforms (META) has taken a direct shot at Apple, which stands to complicate matters even further and slow the adoption of something the company has a lot riding on.
At a pivotal time for Apple and for the entire tech sector, the company may be facing an uphill battle as it tries to conquer a booming new market.
Apple CEO Tim Cook helped the company avoid the impact of recent tariffs, but new troubles await in Silicon Valley.
Image source: Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Meta Platforms just fired a shot across Apple’s bow
While Apple and Meta Platforms both operate in the tech sector and are members of the Magnificent 7, a group of prominent tech stocks responsible for most of the market’s growth, they are not typically seen as direct competitors. After all, one produces consumer electronics and the other operates social media platforms.
That said, Meta seems intent on stifling Apple’s artificial intelligence (AI) enhancement as best it can. The company has ensured that features of Apple Intelligence, a suite of features included in its recent operating system, are not available for use on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, or Threads.
Related: Meta Platforms fights for its life in historical antitrust battle
While many leading tech companies opted to increase their AI spending in 2025, Apple has opted for a more measured approach. Even as the AI market has boomed, the company has maintained its strategy, which Barron’s describes as focusing “on how powerful a model it can get to work directly on its devices.”
Now Meta appears to be blocking certain Apple Intelligence features, such as Writing Tools and custom emoji creator Genmoji, from all its social media apps, though according to AppleInsider, the former can be accessed when using a web browser. This raises some questions regarding why Meta would do this, as it seemingly compromises the experience of using many of its apps.
“The most obvious point to consider is that Meta is also heavily investing in AI, and can be considered a rival to Apple in that sector,” Tom’s Guide notes. “A conspiratorially-minded person might assume that Meta is simply trying to push people towards using its own Meta AI, and not rely on a rival system.”
The outlet also highlights the possibility that Apple may want to ensure that other tech companies don’t gain access to its users’ accounts, even if they made the conscious decision to begin accessing Apple Intelligence’s features. These features would likely be popular, as they stand to enhance the experience of users across Meta’s platforms.
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At the time of writing, Meta has issued no statement on the decision to not allow access to these Apple Intelligence features, nor has CEO Mark Zuckerberg. But given his history with Apple, it’s easy to see how this could seem like an attempt from Meta to take a direct shot at the tech leader.
This could reflect Zuckerberg’s strained relationship with Apple
For years, Zuckerberg has levied criticisms at Apple, sometimes making harsh accusations. In 2020, he alleged that the company held a stronghold over apps that users could download, allowing it to charge “monopoly rents.”
In January 2025, Zuckerberg appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast and told the host that Apple hadn’t invented anything meaningful since the iPhone, citing what he saw as a lack of innovation on the company’s part.
Related: No, Apple iPhones won’t be made in America anytime soon
Now Meta will likely have to answer some pressing questions regarding its Apple Intelligence decision, though it probably will reveal as little information as it can get away with. “It’s unlikely that Meta will ever reveal the reasons behind its decision — even if it’s happy to spill other firms’ confidential details,” speculates AppleInsider.
While it remains unclear if Meta will ultimately make any changes or allow users to access Apple Intelligence, it seems likely the company will face pressure to do so in the near future.
As Cook helped convince Trump to spare Apple from the tariffs, he shouldn’t have much trouble convincing Zuckerberg to make a decision that could benefit both their companies.
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