Germany’s Federal Cartel Office has ordered Apple to redesign its data collection consent prompts, citing concerns that the current interface deliberately discourages users from allowing third-party applications to track their data. The regulator alleges that Apple’s App Tracking Transparency system employs visual and textual elements—including warning symbols and discouraging language—that push users toward rejecting third-party data access while simultaneously encouraging acceptance of Apple’s own data collection practices.
The controversy stems from Apple’s introduction of these consent prompts with iOS 14.5, which fundamentally shifted cross-app user tracking to an opt-in model. While the change benefited privacy-conscious consumers, social media companies reportedly lost nearly $10 billion in revenue. As a designated “gatekeeper” under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, Apple faces heightened regulatory scrutiny to ensure fair competition among app developers.
Apple has been given four months to implement changes that would neutralize the design of third-party app consent prompts, removing discouraging visual elements like warning icons and aligning them with the neutral presentation used for Apple’s own applications. The company must also permit developers to combine these prompts with other data collection requests. These modifications are expected to apply across most European Union countries.
Originally reported by Theverge →
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