In a landmark antitrust move, tech giant Apple has been hit with a hefty fine by French regulators. The penalty amounts to approximately 150 million euros (around $162.4 million) and centers on allegations that Apple misused its dominant position in mobile app advertising through its App Tracking Transparency (ATT) tool.
The ATT tool empowers iPhone and iPad users to control which apps can track their activity, boosting privacy but raising eyebrows among digital advertisers and small publishers. Critics argue that the tool drives up advertising costs and makes it harder for brands to reach audiences, especially for smaller publishers who rely on third-party data.
Benoit Coeure of the French Competition Authority explained that the ruling was based solely on the application of competition law, with no political bias involved. He also noted that while the decision is a significant move for the digital ad industry, Apple stated that no specific changes to ATT are required at this moment, as compliance may evolve with ongoing investigations in other European jurisdictions.
This decision, covering the period from 2021 to 2023, is seen as a major win by associations representing online advertisers and publishers, and it spotlights the increasing global scrutiny of tech giants. As the digital advertising landscape continues to shift, all eyes will be on how these regulatory actions shape industry practices going forward. 🚀🤓
Reference(s):
Apple hit with $162 million French antitrust fine over privacy tool
cgtn.com
