German Publishers Push Regulators To Fine Apple Over App Tracking Transparency
Source: Slashdot
Overview
German publishers and advertising groups are urging regulators to fine Apple over its App Tracking Transparency (ATT) system, arguing that it unfairly restricts access to advertising data while allowing Apple to remain the central gatekeeper without subjecting its own apps to the same restrictions. If Germany’s antitrust authority rules against Apple, the company could face fines of up to 10 % of its global revenue.
Background
One of the countries investigating whether ATT is anticompetitive is Germany. Last year, in an attempt to appease the country’s antitrust watchdog, Apple proposed several changes to the framework’s rules. According to Reuters:
“Apple had agreed to introduce neutral consent prompts for both its own services and third‑party apps, and to largely align the wording, content and visual design of these messages,” said Andreas Mundt, head of Germany’s Bundeskartellamt. “The company also proposed simplifying the consent process so developers can obtain user permission for advertising‑related data processing in a way that complies with data protection law.”
At the time, German regulators launched a consultation with industry publications to determine whether the proposals addressed their concerns. The answer was a hard no.
Recent Developments
As Reuters reported on 10 March 2026, Apple’s proposed changes “do not resolve antitrust issues in the mobile advertising market,” according to associations representing German publishers and advertisers. In a joint letter signed by the trade bodies, Bernd Nauen, chief executive of the German Advertising Federation, stated:
“The proposed commitments would not change the negative effects of the App Tracking Transparency Framework. Apple would remain the data gatekeeper and would continue to decide who gets access to advertising‑relevant data and how companies can communicate with their end customers.”
The groups are now urging the Bundeskartellamt to impose a fine on the U.S. tech giant.
Sources