Apple’s App Tracking Transparency feature has led to a €98.6 million fine by Italy’s Competition Authority. Introduced with iOS 14.5 in April 2021, this feature mandates apps to seek user permission before tracking activities across apps and websites for targeted ads. The Italian regulator argues that this requirement is disproportionate and detrimental to app developers and advertisers, citing a “double consent” issue due to overlapping with GDPR prompts. The authority claims Apple could have ensured user privacy without restricting competition and notes potential financial advantages for Apple. Apple plans to appeal the decision, emphasizing the privacy benefits of the feature, but has warned it might have to discontinue App Tracking Transparency in the EU due to similar regulatory challenges across Europe.
Why has Apple been fined in Italy over iPhone privacy?
