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The Federal Trade Commission has raised concerns with Apple over allegations that its Apple News platform promotes content from left-leaning publications while limiting visibility for conservative outlets.
In a letter to Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook, FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said the commission does not have the authority to require Apple to adopt any political position or curate content based on ideology. However, he cautioned that if Apple’s practices diverge from its stated terms of service or from reasonable consumer expectations, they could potentially violate the FTC Act.
Section 5 of the FTC Act prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices. A company may be found in violation if its representations are material and likely to mislead consumers.
Ferguson cited reports and studies claiming that Apple News has not featured articles from American conservative-leaning outlets in recent months, while simultaneously promoting hundreds of stories from liberal publications. He said the claims warrant scrutiny over whether the platform is operating consistently with its public commitments.
“These reports raise serious questions about whether Apple News is acting in accordance with its terms of service and its representations to consumers,” Ferguson wrote in the letter, which he posted publicly.
Apple News aggregates and curates stories from newspapers, magazines and digital publishers into a personalised feed. Apple has not publicly responded to the letter.
Ferguson, who was appointed to the commission by former President Joe Biden and later named chairman by Donald Trump, has previously indicated that the FTC should examine whether large technology platforms have misled users or suppressed conservative viewpoints.
The development adds to broader debates in Washington over platform neutrality, content moderation and whether consumer protection laws can be applied to algorithmic curation practices. While no formal investigation has been announced, the letter signals potential regulatory scrutiny if the agency determines that Apple’s content practices materially misrepresent how Apple News operates.
In a letter to Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook, FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said the commission does not have the authority to require Apple to adopt any political position or curate content based on ideology. However, he cautioned that if Apple’s practices diverge from its stated terms of service or from reasonable consumer expectations, they could potentially violate the FTC Act.
Section 5 of the FTC Act prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices. A company may be found in violation if its representations are material and likely to mislead consumers.
Ferguson cited reports and studies claiming that Apple News has not featured articles from American conservative-leaning outlets in recent months, while simultaneously promoting hundreds of stories from liberal publications. He said the claims warrant scrutiny over whether the platform is operating consistently with its public commitments.
“These reports raise serious questions about whether Apple News is acting in accordance with its terms of service and its representations to consumers,” Ferguson wrote in the letter, which he posted publicly.
Apple News aggregates and curates stories from newspapers, magazines and digital publishers into a personalised feed. Apple has not publicly responded to the letter.
Ferguson, who was appointed to the commission by former President Joe Biden and later named chairman by Donald Trump, has previously indicated that the FTC should examine whether large technology platforms have misled users or suppressed conservative viewpoints.
The development adds to broader debates in Washington over platform neutrality, content moderation and whether consumer protection laws can be applied to algorithmic curation practices. While no formal investigation has been announced, the letter signals potential regulatory scrutiny if the agency determines that Apple’s content practices materially misrepresent how Apple News operates.
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