Apple Faces Likely French Antitrust Fine for Privacy Tool, Sources Say
Apple is facing a likely antitrust fine as the French regulator prepares to rule next month on the company's privacy control tool, two people with direct knowledge of the matter said. The feature, called App Tracking Transparency (ATT), allows iPhone users to decide which apps can track user activity, but digital advertising and mobile gaming companies have complained that it has made it more expensive and difficult for brands to advertise on Apple's platforms. The French regulator charged Apple in 2023, citing concerns about the company's potential abuse of its dominant position in the market.
- This case highlights the growing tension between tech giants' efforts to protect user data and regulatory agencies' push for greater transparency and accountability in the digital marketplace.
- Will the outcome of this ruling serve as a model for other countries to address similar issues with their own antitrust laws and regulations governing data protection and advertising practices?