Düsseldorf — Germany’s competition authority announced Monday that Apple will revise how app developers can use personal data for targeted advertising on iPhones and iPads, bringing a close to a lengthy investigation.
The Federal Cartel Office identified that Apple’s App Tracking Transparency framework offered its own apps more favorable consent prompts compared to those of third-party developers, which could violate competition laws.
Following the decision, Apple has four months to enact the necessary changes. The commitments will last for seven years and will be overseen by an appointed trustee.
As part of these commitments, consent pop-ups for third-party apps need to be redesigned to eliminate discouraging language and symbols, with visuals and wording that are neutral and clear.
Third-party app developers will also be allowed greater flexibility to combine Apple’s mandatory consent requests with their own separate privacy notices.
Apple stated that these adjustments will be implemented across nearly all EU countries, noting that it has already modified the text and layout of the consent prompts per the authority’s recommendations.
Developers like Meta Platforms, Facebook’s parent company, rely on precise user data to serve targeted ads, which tend to generate more revenue than general advertising campaigns.
France and Italy have already imposed fines on Apple — €150 million and €98.6 million, respectively — over issues related to the App Tracking Transparency framework.