Apple to change app data consent rules, German regulator says
The Federal Cartel Office, or FCO, found that Apple's App Tracking Transparency framework gave its own apps more favourable consent prompts than those of third-party developers, potentially breaching competition rules.
Germany's competition authority announced on Monday that Apple will modify how app developers can utilize personal data for targeted advertising on iPhones and iPads, following a lengthy investigation. The Federal Cartel Office (FCO) discovered that Apple's App Tracking Transparency framework provides its own apps more advantageous consent prompts, potentially violating competition rules.
Apple has four months to implement the changes, which will be monitored by a trustee and run for seven years. The commitments entail redesigning consent pop-ups for third-party apps to eliminate discouraging language and symbols, making the prompts visually and linguistically neutral. Apple maintains that the current ATT prompt is clear, easy-to-understand, and effective, but it agreed to the changes at the FCO's request.
The modifications will be applicable in nearly all European Union countries, including those where Apple develops third-party apps, such as Facebook parent Meta Platforms. These apps require accurate user data to display targeted advertisements, which generate more revenue than broader campaigns.
France and Italy have previously fined Apple €150 million and €98.6 million, respectively, over the ATT framework.
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