French Antitrust Watchdog Issues Statement of Objection Over Apple App Tracking
July 26, 2023
France’s antitrust watchdog has issued a statement of objection against Apple, raising concerns that the tech giant may have violated regulations related to the use of iPhone user data for advertising purposes. The watchdog is worried that Apple could be abusing its dominant position by implementing discriminatory and non-transparent conditions for using user data in advertising. This comes after four French online advertising industry groups filed an antitrust complaint in 2020, stating that changes made by Apple to privacy features negatively impacted publishers’ revenues, and Apple’s own apps did not include the same opt-in mechanism as third-party developers. Apple has denied the allegation, stating that its apps do not track or share user data for targeted advertising or advertising measurement purposes. The statement of objection triggers an antitrust procedure, during which Apple will be able to present its perspective to the watchdog.
Recent News
Tesla Faces Uphill Battle with Shareholder Votes
In a bid to navigate the treacherous terrain of shareholder approval, Tesla’s chairperson, Robyn Denholm, likened the challenges ahead to scaling “Mount Everest.” This revelation comes amidst the looming votes on relocating Tesla’s headquarters to Texas and ratifying CEO Elon Musk’s staggering $56 billion compensation plan. Denholm’s remarks, as reported by the Financial Times on Friday, shed light on the uphill battle the electric vehicle giant faces in its quest for shareholder support.
Media Giants Depend on Sports As Content Shortages Rise
As Hollywood emerges from last year’s strikes, major media companies are turning to live sports to attract audiences and advertisers. This trend was evident during this year’s Upfront presentations, where media giants showcased their upcoming content and advertising opportunities.
New Trader Joe’s Opens in SF After 10 Years
San Francisco’s Hayes Valley neighborhood welcomed a highly anticipated new addition on May 17, 2024, with the grand opening of a Trader Joe’s at 555 Fulton St., on the corner of Laguna Street. This event marks the end of a decade-long wait for residents who have been eagerly looking forward to a new grocery store in their area.
China’s Property Market Boost: Stocks Surge, Copper Hits Highs
The Chinese government unveiled a comprehensive support package that has sent ripples through financial markets. This initiative includes a slew of measures aimed at stimulating housing demand and addressing the excess inventory burdening developers. The immediate impact was a significant rally in Chinese stocks and a surge in commodity prices, notably copper, which hit record highs.