The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is scrutinizing Apple’s news curation practices, alleging potential political bias in the Apple News app. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson has sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook requesting a review of the platform’s policies, following a report from the conservative Media Research Center (MRC) that claims Apple News systematically favors left-leaning news outlets while suppressing conservative voices.
Allegations of Bias and FTC Concerns
The MRC study, covering the period between January 1st and January 31st, 2026, asserts that Apple News’ “morning editions” did not feature any articles originating from right-leaning publications within the top 20 stories. The study specifically identified Fox News, the New York Post, Daily Mail, Breitbart, and The Gateway Pundit as examples of outlets allegedly excluded from prominent placement. Instead, the MRC claims Apple News prioritized publications like The Washington Post, The Associated Press, NBC News, The Wall Street Journal, and Reuters.
Chairman Ferguson’s letter to Tim Cook doesn’t definitively state that bias exists, but raises concerns that Apple’s curation practices may violate Section 5 of the FTC Act. This section prohibits “unfair or deceptive acts or practices,” encompassing material misrepresentations and omissions to consumers. The core of the FTC’s concern revolves around whether Apple’s curation decisions are consistent with its stated terms of service and whether a lack of transparency regarding potential ideological filtering could mislead users.
Ferguson’s letter explicitly acknowledges the First Amendment protections afforded to tech companies, but clarifies that these protections do not shield platforms from actions deemed unfair under the FTC Act, even if those actions involve speech. The letter quotes Ferguson stating, “The First Amendment has never extended its protection to material misrepresentations made to consumers, nor does it immunize speakers from conduct that Congress has deemed unfair under the FTC Act, even if that conduct involves speech.”
The FTC Act and News Aggregation
The letter outlines three potential violations of the FTC Act related to news aggregation. First, if Apple’s suppression or promotion of articles is inconsistent with its terms of service. Second, if the lack of disclosure regarding ideological favoritism constitutes a material omission that would reasonably affect consumer expectations. And third, if these practices cause substantial injury to consumers that isn’t outweighed by any benefits. This suggests the FTC is considering whether Apple’s curation choices actively harm consumers by limiting their access to diverse perspectives.
The FTC’s inquiry isn’t simply about ideological preference. it’s about transparency and fair dealing. News aggregators like Apple News operate as gatekeepers, determining which stories reach a large audience. If those decisions are influenced by political considerations without clear disclosure, it raises questions about whether consumers are receiving a balanced and unbiased view of current events.
Apple’s Role and the Broader Context
Apple News differs from platforms like Facebook or X (formerly Twitter) in that it actively curates content, rather than relying solely on algorithms to surface stories. This editorial control gives Apple significant influence over which news sources gain visibility. While algorithmic curation can be opaque and prone to unintended biases, Apple’s human-driven curation introduces a different set of concerns – namely, the potential for deliberate editorial choices to shape the news landscape.
The MRC’s methodology relies on AllSides media bias ratings to categorize news sources. AllSides uses a methodology that attempts to quantify the political leaning of news outlets, placing them on a spectrum from left to center to right. While such ratings can provide a general sense of a publication’s perspective, they are inherently subjective and can be debated. It’s important to note that the FTC’s letter references the MRC study and a related report in the New York Post, but doesn’t independently verify the findings.
As of , Apple has not issued a public response to the FTC’s letter or the allegations raised by the MRC. The company’s response will be crucial in determining how this situation unfolds. It remains to be seen whether the FTC will pursue further investigation or seek any corrective action from Apple. This case highlights the growing scrutiny faced by tech companies regarding their content moderation and curation practices, and the increasing pressure to ensure transparency and fairness in the digital information ecosystem.
