Apple Ordered to Change App Data Consent Prompts
Germany's Federal Cartel Office has ordered Apple to modify its data collection consent prompts. The regulator found that the prompts were designed in a way that favored Apple's own apps.
Germany's Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) has mandated changes to Apple's data collection consent prompts on iOS devices. The regulator determined that the previous design of these prompts steered users towards favoring Apple's own applications and discouraging consent for third-party app data collection.
The decision follows accusations from the German competition authority that Apple's prompts were misleading and unfair. While Apple's App Tracking Transparency (ATT) feature has previously had a significant impact on social media app advertising revenues, the regulator's scrutiny now focuses on whether Apple's design choices facilitate or hinder user data sharing.
As a designated "gatekeeper" under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple faces increased scrutiny over its practices. The authority is concerned that Apple's actions do not provide a level playing field for all app developers.
The Cartel Office stated that the prompts discouraged users from agreeing to data usage by third-party apps while encouraging consent for Apple's own services. Apple is now required to adjust these prompts to comply with the authority's directives.