Meta, the parent company of popular social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Threads, and Messenger, has chosen to block Apple Intelligence features across its iOS applications.
Apple Intelligence, which launched in October, offers various AI-powered capabilities like Writing Tools for message composition, Genmojis for messaging, and Image Playground features. While these tools are widely available across Apple's native apps and many third-party applications, Meta's portfolio of apps notably stands out by refusing to integrate them.
The move appears to be part of an ongoing tension between the two tech giants. Meta has even removed the ability to use iOS stickers, including Genmojis, in Instagram Stories through a recent update.
Industry observers suggest this decision may be Meta's response to Apple's App Tracking Transparency policy, which requires apps to obtain user permission before tracking their data across other apps and websites. This policy has impacted Meta's ability to deliver targeted advertising, a key revenue source for the company.
The contrast becomes more apparent when comparing Meta's stance to other social media platforms. Twitter (now X), despite having its own AI called Grok, allows users to access Apple Intelligence's Writing Tools when creating posts.
Meta has instead chosen to exclusively offer its own AI functionality across its family of apps, leaving iOS users unable to access Apple's AI features while using Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Threads, or Messenger.
This development marks another chapter in the complex relationship between Meta and Apple, as both companies continue to compete for influence in the mobile software ecosystem.