FTC warns Apple that alleged news suppression may violate federal law
Key Facts
- FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson sent a formal warning letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook on Wednesday.
- The letter alleges Apple News may be violating Section 5 of the FTC Act regarding material misrepresentations.
- A Media Research Center study found zero right-leaning articles among 620 featured stories in January.
- FCC Chairman Brendan Carr publicly supported the FTC's position.
- Apple’s terms of service state that news content is provided 'as-is' and 'as-available.'
- President Trump shared the Media Research Center report on Truth Social prior to the FTC's letter.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Andrew Ferguson notified Apple CEO Tim Cook on Wednesday that the company’s news curation practices may violate the FTC Act. The warning follows allegations that Apple News systematically promotes left-leaning news outlets while suppressing conservative publications. Ferguson stated that such practices, if inconsistent with Apple’s terms of service or consumer expectations, could constitute material misrepresentations or omissions under Section 5 of the FTC Act.
The FTC’s concerns are based on research from the Media Research Center (MRC), which analyzed the top 20 articles in the Apple News morning edition throughout January. The study claimed that out of 620 featured articles, none were from right-leaning sources such as Fox News, the New York Post, or Breitbart. Instead, the report found that Apple frequently highlighted content from the Associated Press, The Washington Post, and NBC News.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr supported the FTC’s inquiry, asserting that Apple does not have the right to suppress conservative viewpoints. While Ferguson acknowledged that the FTC does not have the authority to act as "speech police" or mandate specific political positions, he emphasized the agency’s mandate to protect consumers from deceptive practices. Apple’s terms of service currently state that its news content is provided on an "as-is" basis and that the company is not responsible for the accuracy or legality of third-party materials.
Historical Context
The regulatory warning coincides with a broader campaign by the Trump administration to address perceived ideological bias in the media and technology sectors. In December, the White House launched a "media bias" section on its website, which includes an "offender hall of shame" for articles deemed misleading. This tension exists alongside Apple’s recent efforts to secure its standing with the administration, including a $100 billion pledge to U.S. manufacturing and the delivery of a trophy to the Oval Office by Cook in August.
Perspective Analysis
Sources: Washington Post · Associated Press · TechCrunch · Ars Technica · New York Times · CNBC · The Hill | Aggregators: Memeorandum · Tech Policy Wire
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