Apple, Facebook trade barbs over privacy-focused business models

The clash between Apple Inc. and Facebook Inc. intensified as the chief executives of the two tech giants squared off in public remarks over privacy, the impact of algorithms and competition and offered dueling visions of the future of the internet.

Without naming Facebook directly, Apple CEO Tim Cook leveled a blistering condemnation of “conspiracy theories juiced by algorithms” in a speech Thursday as he discussed a new privacy tool the iPhone maker plans to roll out in the next several months. Mr. Cook also tied recent social unrest to a broader argument that app-tracking tools are turning consumers into advertising products.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg singled out Apple Wednesday as one of its most formidable competitors and accused the company of using its platform to interfere with how Facebook apps work. Mr. Zuckerberg has previously cast the fight as one between ad-supported players like his company who offer free apps with targeted advertising and privacy-conscious, fee-based services like those Apple is backing for consumers.