Apple’s Privacy Pop-Up: A 150 Million Euro Comedy of Errors?
France’s antitrust watchdog has fined Apple 150 million euros for its App Tracking Transparency feature, claiming it unfairly skewed competition. While designed to boost user privacy, the feature’s implementation left app developers seeing red—and not the rosy kind. Apple’s wallet, however, remains as impenetrable as an iPhone without Face ID.
Hot Take:
France just slapped Apple with a €150 million “merci beaucoup” for being a bit too enthusiastic with their privacy party. It seems the French Competition Authority thinks Apple took the “all-you-can-eat privacy buffet” a little too far, leaving smaller app developers with nothing but crumbs. Who knew that locking down privacy would open up a can of antitrust worms? Apple might be rolling in dough, but even the biggest wallet can feel a pinch when it’s a matter of principle (and euros).
Key Points:
- Apple fined €150 million by France for privacy feature abuse.
- App Tracking Transparency (ATT) requires apps to get user consent before tracking.
- FCA claims ATT implementation was disproportionate to its privacy goals.
- Criticism includes excessive pop-ups and impact on smaller app developers.
- Apple maintains that ATT is fair and consistent for all developers.