{
  "id": 1490164,
  "title": "Apple to change app data consent rules, says German regulator",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/apple-to-change-app-data-consent-rules-says-german-regulator-1490164",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-17T12:46:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2026/08/17/apple-to-change-app-data-consent-rules-says-german-regulator"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Germany's Federal Cartel Office announced on Monday that Apple will modify its rules regarding how app developers can utilize personal data for targeted advertising on iPhones and iPads, concluding a prolonged investigation. The regulator claimed Apple's App Tracking Transparency (ATT) framework granted its own apps more advantageous consent prompts compared to those offered by third-party developers, potentially contravening competition regulations. Apple has four months to implement the amendments following the decision's enforcement. These commitments span seven years and will be overseen by a trustee.\n\nThe revised requirements mandate the redesign of consent pop-ups for third-party apps to eliminate discouraging language and symbols, making them more visually and linguistically neutral. Third-party app publishers will also gain greater flexibility to merge Apple's mandated consent request with distinct data-protection consent prompts. Apple affirmed that these changes will be applicable in nearly all EU countries and disclosed that it had adjusted the text and design of the consent prompt at the regulator's behest. Developers of third-party apps, including Facebook's parent company Meta Platforms, strive for precise user data to enable targeted advertisements on devices, which generate higher revenue than broader campaigns. France and Italy have previously imposed fines of €150 million and €98.6 million on Apple, respectively, in relation to the ATT framework.",
  "summary": "The Federal Cartel Office found that Apple's App Tracking Transparency framework gave its own apps more favourable consent prompts than those of third-party developers.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Apple to change app data consent rules, says German regulator",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/apple-to-change-app-data-consent-rules-says-german-regulator",
        "published": "2026-08-17T12:46:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}