FTC urges Apple to review Apple News over conservative content concerns

Apple is under scrutiny from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) following claims that its Apple News app has systematically limited the visibility of news from conservative outlets. The FTC, led by chair Andrew Ferguson, sent a letter urging Apple to review its curation policies, noting that favoring or suppressing content based on ideology could conflict with consumer protection rules. These concerns were raised by the Media Research Center, a conservative media watchdog, which reported that no right-leaning articles appeared among the app’s top 20 morning stories last month. Apple has defended its app’s curation, emphasizing a focus on quality journalism and standards that exclude blogs, promotional content, and inaccurate reporting. Although the FTC has no power to compel changes, Ferguson stressed that oversight is warranted to protect consumers from misrepresentations or omissions in products, including speech-related platforms. The issue has been amplified in conservative circles, including by former US President Donald Trump. This development occurs amid broader political debates over tech companies’ role in moderating content, with firms like Meta, Google, and X facing scrutiny. Apple, which has largely avoided such conflicts, has maintained connections with political figures, including Trump, through donations and gifts. The FTC’s engagement signals growing political and regulatory attention on content curation in digital news platforms.