Top Stories· August 17, 2026 at 03:10 p.m.
Apple Faces Scrutiny Over Data Collection Consent Prompts in Germany
Key takeaways
- Apple accused of designing data collection prompts to favor its own apps
- Germany's Federal Cartel Office raises concerns over level playing field
- App Tracking Transparency feature costs social media apps nearly $10 billion
Germany's Federal Cartel Office has accused Apple of designing its data collection consent prompts to favor its own apps over third-party ones, following the launch of iOS 14.5's App Tracking Transparency feature. The regulator claims that the prompts steer users away from agreeing to let third-party apps use their data, while encouraging them to give consent for Apple's apps. This issue arises as Apple is now a designated 'gatekeeper' under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) rules, facing additional scrutiny over providing a level playing field.
