Apple Redesigns App Tracking Prompts to Settle German Antitrust Probe

Apple Inc. has agreed to redesign its App Tracking Transparency (ATT) consent prompts on iOS and iPadOS to resolve a four-year competition investigation by Germany's Federal Cartel Office. The regulator found that Apple's framework unfairly favored its own services by using more discouraging language and symbols for third-party developers than for its own apps.

Under legally binding commitments, Apple must ensure third-party prompts are neutral in content, wording, and layout. Specific changes include removing the warning hand symbol, changing the prompt's graphic color from orange to blue, and removing the term tracking. Choice buttons will be updated to Allow and Reject, and developers may now include a customizable purpose string of up to 4,000 characters to explain the benefits of personalized advertising. Apple will also allow developers to re-prompt users after one year.

While Apple maintains that its original prompts were effective and compliant with the law, the company accepted the terms to ensure the privacy tool remains available in Europe. The updates will apply across almost all European Union countries. Apple has four months from the August 13, 2026, decision to implement these changes, which an independent monitoring trustee will oversee for seven years.

This settlement follows a March 2025 ruling by the Federal Court of Justice confirming Apple's position of paramount significance for competition. It also follows separate ATT-related fines imposed on the company by France and Italy totaling approximately €248 million.