Same pop-up, different treatment. That's the core allegation behind Germany's Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt)'s latest ruling against Apple — when users decide whether to allow an app to collect their personal data, Apple's own apps get wording and layout that make it noticeably easier to land a "yes" than what third-party developers get.
The ruling targets Apple's App Tracking Transparency (ATT) framework, launched in April 2021. ATT was designed to let users actively decide whether to share data with an app's developer when opening it. But according to the Bundeskartellamt, the system doesn't treat everyone equally. The regulator stated in its ruling: "The wording, design, and choice architecture of the prompts used for Apple's own services are likely to encourage user consent, while for third-party apps, the same design elements are likely to discourage it."
In other words, even though it's ostensibly the same "Allow" or "Don't Allow" choice, the interface itself may have already made half the decision for the user.
The ruling requires Apple to make specific changes. The Bundeskartellamt explicitly stated that Apple must remove "symbols and wording in the default prompts for third-party providers that may have a discouraging effect," and ensure that the data-collection consent pop-up remains "neutral in content, wording, and layout." Apple has been given four months to complete the adjustments, during which it must also test the revised versions together with app developers.
This isn't a one-time fix that closes the case. Under the Bundeskartellamt's ruling, the commitments will remain in effect for seven years, with an independent monitoring trustee responsible for confirming that Apple continues to comply. Engadget has reached out to Apple for comment and has not yet received a response.
