Key facts
- Apple will change its app data consent rules for targeted advertising on iPhones and iPads.
- Germany's Federal Cartel Office found Apple's App Tracking Transparency framework favored its own apps.
- Consent pop-ups for third-party apps will be redesigned to be visually and linguistically neutral.
- Third-party app publishers will have more flexibility to combine Apple's consent request with separate prompts.
- The changes will be implemented across almost all European Union countries.
- Apple has four months to implement the changes after the decision is served.
Apple will modify its rules regarding how app developers can utilize personal data for targeted advertising on iPhones and iPads, according to Germany's competition authority. The Federal Cartel Office concluded its investigation by accepting commitments from Apple to implement these changes, which are intended to address concerns that the company's App Tracking Transparency (ATT) framework provided preferential treatment to its own applications over those of third-party developers.
Under the agreement, Apple has four months to implement the revised consent prompts. These changes will be monitored by a trustee and will remain in effect for seven years. The redesigned pop-ups for third-party apps must be neutral in language and visual presentation, removing any discouraging elements. Additionally, third-party publishers will be granted more flexibility to integrate Apple's mandatory consent request with their own separate data-protection consent prompts.
Apple stated that these modifications will be applied across nearly all European Union countries. The company indicated it had already adjusted the text and design of the consent prompt at the German authority's request. Developers of third-party apps, such as Meta Platforms, rely on accurate user data for targeted advertising, which generates significant revenue. Previously, both France and Italy had imposed substantial fines on Apple, totaling €150 million and €98.6 million respectively, over issues related to the ATT framework.