{
  "id": 1472455,
  "title": "Apple to change app data consent rules, says regulator",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/apple-to-change-app-data-consent-rules-says-regulator",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-17T11:42:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/apple-to-change-app-data-consent-rules-says-regulator/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Germany's competition authority, the Bundeskartellamt, has secured a binding agreement from Apple to alter its app data consent procedures for personalized advertising on iPhones and iPads. Initially raised concerns about Apple's treatment of third-party apps. The regulator stated that Apple had offered commitments to address these concerns, which have now been formalized and concluded the ongoing competition proceeding. The authority explained that Apple's App Tracking Transparency Framework mandates third-party app providers to obtain additional consent through an Apple-defined prompt for specific types of cross-company data usage. However, this rule does not apply to Apple's own offerings in the same way.\n\nBundeskartellamt President Andreas Mundt emphasized the importance of effectively protecting personal data and privacy when using apps, stating that Apple is allowed to provide enhanced protection for its users beyond the minimum legal requirements. Yet, under Germany's special abuse provision for large digital companies, Apple's rules within its ecosystem must not provide better treatment to its own offerings compared to those of competitors. In response, Apple will align its consent requests for both its own offerings and those of third-party apps more closely and remove potentially discouraging symbols and wording from predefined requests for third-party providers. App publishers will also gain greater flexibility to combine Apple's consent request with those required under data protection law, ensuring clarity for users.\n\nThe regulator clarified that the changes were not intended to increase consent rates for personalized advertising but rather to ensure users can make informed decisions freely. Users who do not wish to allow their data to be used for personalized advertising should have the same freedom and informed decision-making capability as those who intend to consent to such data use. The new consent requests aim to facilitate this decision-making process for users.\n\nThe Bundeskartellamt's investigation focused on competition law, not data protection law, and began in June 2022 after confirming Apple's dominant position in competition across markets in March 2025. Apple has four months from receiving the decision to implement the agreed changes, which will apply for seven years and be monitored by an independent trustee. The authority noted that France and Italy had previously imposed fines of €150 million and €98.6 million on Apple for similar proceedings concerning its App Tracking Transparency Framework.",
  "summary": "Apple will modify its app data consent rules for personalized advertising on iPhones and iPads following concerns raised by Germany’s competition authority Read More: https://punchng.com/apple-to-change-app-data-consent-rules-says-regulator/",
  "key_points": [
    "Apple agrees to change app data consent rules for personalized advertising on iPhones and iPads.",
    "New rules require third-party apps to obtain additional consent through Apple-defined prompts."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Apple to change app data consent rules, says regulator",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/apple-to-change-app-data-consent-rules-says-regulator-1475776",
        "published": "2026-08-17T12:10:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}