Monday, August 17, 2026 - Apple will change rules governing how app developers can use personal data for targeted advertising on iPhones and iPads, Germany's competition authority said, opens new tab on Monday, closing a years-long investigation.
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, potentially breaching competition rules.
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Apple has four months to implement the changes after the
decision is served. Commitments run for seven years and will be monitored by a
trustee.
Under the commitments, consent pop-ups for third-party apps
must be redesigned to remove discouraging language and symbols, and made
visually and linguistically neutral.
Third-party app publishers will also gain more flexibility
to combine Apple's required consent request with separate
data-protection consent prompts.
Apple said the changes would apply in almost all European
Union countries and that it had adapted the text and design of the
consent prompt at the authority's request.
Developers of third-party apps, including Facebook parent
Meta Platforms (META.O), opens new tab, aim for accurate user data so
that targeted adverts can be displayed on devices. These generate more revenue
than broader campaigns.
France and Italy have already fined Apple €150
million and €98.6 million, respectively, over the ATT framework.
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