Italy's competition authority considers that Apple has given itself preferential treatment on iOS through its App Tracking Transparency policy. Credit: 360b / Shutterstock The Italian competition authority, Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato, has fined Apple more than $116 million (€98.6 million) for abusing its dominant position in the market for app distribution to iOS users. The authority considers that Apple’s App Tracking Transparency (ATT) policy, introduced in 2021, inhibits competition. The policy requires third-party developers to obtain double permission from users to collect and link data for advertising purposes, while Apple itself is not similarly affected. The investigation, coordinated with the European Commission and other authorities, concluded that the rules are unilaterally imposed, disproportionate to Apple’s alleged privacy purpose, and harm app developers, advertisers and advertising networks by limiting their ability to use data for personalized advertising. In a statement to Ars Technica, Apple writes that the company plans to appeal the fine and defend App Tracking Transparency as a protection of user privacy on iOS. More Apple news and insights: The new Apple thinks different? Apple preps for iPhone diversification Memory efficiency: Apple’s new competitive advantage GovernmentIndustryLaws and RegulationsMarkets SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe