Global – Apple has been fined €150 million ($162.4 million) by French antitrust authorities for allegedly misusing its market dominance in mobile app advertising through its App Tracking Transparency (ATT) tool.
This ruling marks the first time any regulatory body has penalized Apple for the ATT feature, which allows iPhone and iPad users to control app tracking. The fine follows the European Union’s previous €1.8 billion penalty against Apple for restricting competition on its App Store.
French Competition Authority head Benoît Cœuré emphasized that the decision was made independently of political influence, dismissing concerns about potential retaliation from U.S. authorities. He noted that similar antitrust scrutiny of major tech firms exists in both Europe and the U.S.
The ATT tool has faced criticism from advertisers and mobile gaming companies, who claim it makes advertising on Apple devices more costly and less effective. While Apple expressed disappointment with the ruling, the company noted that no mandatory changes to ATT have been imposed.
The French regulator stated that the ATT tool disproportionately affected smaller publishers reliant on third-party data for revenue. The decision follows complaints from digital advertising associations, including Alliance Digitale and Udecam, who view the ruling as a significant win for advertisers.
Apple’s compliance with the ruling may take time, as similar investigations are ongoing in Germany, Italy, Poland, and Romania.
By Damilola Adeleke | March 31, 2025
Adeleke Damilola (ACTION) is a versatile content writer with expertise in news writing and a seasoned media professional and broadcast specialist. Currently serving as News Editor for DNews Info, Damilola is also the CEO of the ACTION brand, committed to shaping lives and establishing a legacy of excellence for present and future generations.
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