Digest: Apple Fined over iOS Data Consent Practices; BBC Decides Against Podcast Ads Plan

Today's digest looks at fines over data consent practices, xAI's acquisition of X, and BBC abandoning its plan to introduce ads to podcasts.

Apple Fined €150 Million Over iOS Data Consent Practices

Apple Inc. has been fined  €150m (£124m) by France’s antitrust regulator following an investigation into the company’s approach to collecting iOS user data and its impact on advertisers.

The Autorité de la Concurrence ruled that Apple’s App Tracking Transparency (ATT) framework makes it more difficult for app developers to comply with Europe’s GDPR privacy regulations, forcing them to display multiple pop-ups and creating an unnecessarily complex user experience.

Apple said it is “disappointed” with the decision, adding that the regulator has not requested specific changes to the ATT system. While the authority stated that the framework itself is not problematic, it found that its implementation was abusive under competition law.

xAI acquires X in all-stock deal, says Elon Musk

xAI has acquired social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in an all-stock deal, Elon Musk announced in a post on X on Friday. According to Musk, the deal values xAI at USD$80bn (£61.8bn) and X at USD$33bn (£25.5bn).

Describing the two companies’ futures as “intertwined”, Musk stated: “Today, we officially take the step to combine the data, models, compute, distribution, and talent.”

BBC decides against podcast ads plan

The BBC has scrapped its proposal to introduce ads in podcasts accessed via commercial streaming platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify in the UK.

BBC Studios, the broadcaster’s commercial arm, had been exploring the possibility of selling ads in the UK, subject to regulatory assessment. However, the proposal has been removed from the BBC’s annual plan, which is set to be published next week. Had it proceeded, this would have marked the first time the BBC commercialised podcasts in the UK.