Italy Fines Apple €98.6M Over ATT Rules Limiting Competition
Hoplon InfoSec
24 Dec, 2025
Italy's antitrust agency fined Apple €98.6 million because its App Tracking Transparency (ATT) system makes it harder for third-party app developers to compete in the App Store. Apple's own apps can get permission from users in one step, but third-party developers have to ask twice, which the authority said is too much and bad for developers. Apple plans to fight the decision.
At first glance, Apple's App Tracking Transparency feature seems to be good for user privacy. Most iPhone users would probably say they like being able to choose who can track them.
But the people in charge in Italy saw things differently.
They said that Apple used privacy as a shield to change the way the App Store works. The ruling said that the rules made things unfair for app developers and advertisers who depend on user data to stay in business.
This choice has become one of the most talked-about antitrust cases in Europe.
Why Did Italy Fine Apple for Not Following ATT Rules?
The fine from the Italian competition authority, Apple AT, T has to do with how Apple enforced its App Tracking Transparency framework.
ATT says that apps must get clear permission from users before tracking them across apps and websites owned by other companies. In theory, this applies to everyone.
AGCM says that the problem is how Apple used the rules in real life.
The Problem of Double Consent Explained
Italy's government found that developers of third-party apps had to get two separate permissions.
First, agree to Apple's ATT prompt.
Second, European privacy laws like GDPR require consent.
Apple's own advertising services, on the other hand, didn't have the same problems.
AGCM said that this double consent structure made people less likely to allow tracking, which made ads less effective for competitors but had less of an effect on Apple's own ecosystem.
This imbalance was a big part of the Apple ATT fine from the Italian competition authority.
EU Law on Abuse of a Dominant Position
The ruling cites Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which says that companies can't abuse their power in a market.
Apple decides who can get to iOS users. Developers can't get around the App Store. That power comes with legal obligations.
AGCM found that Apple used that power to make competition unfair in the markets for mobile advertising and app monetization. Even though each case is judged on its own, this interpretation is in line with past EU antitrust cases.
How App Tracking Transparency Really Works
It helps to know how ATT works in real life to understand the case in which Italy fines Apple €98.6 million for breaking ATT rules that limit competition in the App Store.
When a person opens an app, a message from the system asks if tracking is okay. Regulators say that studies show that most users tap "Ask App Not to Track."
That one tap can cut ad revenue by a huge amount.
This loss isn't too bad for big companies like Apple. It can be very bad for smaller developers.
Example from the real world
Think about a free weather app that makes money from ads. Advertisers pay less when they don't track data. Income goes down. Things slow down.
Apple Music and Apple Search Ads don't use the same third-party tracking in the same way. This difference is important.
AGCM did not say that privacy is bad. It said that privacy can't be used selectively.
Important Results From Italy's Competition Authority
There are a number of important conclusions in the Italy Apple fine ATT App Store competition 2025 ruling.
• Apple is the biggest player in the iOS app distribution market.
ATT rules made it unfair for Apple and third parties.
• The system hurt competition in mobile advertising.
• There were fewer strict ways to protect consumer privacy.
These results are similar to what developers have been saying for years, but Apple strongly disagrees.
Apple has said in public that it will appeal the decision. We still don't know what will happen with that appeal.
How Data Affects App Developers and Advertisers
There isn't a lot of reliable public data on exact revenue losses. But many developer groups have said that their advertising income has dropped a lot since ATT started.
According to reports from the industry, regulators have looked at:
Observed Impact After ATT
-------------------------
Small ad driven apps: severe pressure
Mid sized publishers: declining ad value
Apple owned services: limited disruption
The fine that the Italian competition authority gave to Apple ATT shows a bigger problem in Europe.
User rights are the main focus of privacy law. Competition law is about making sure the market is fair.
When one business controls the gate and makes the rules, things get tense.
France has already fined Apple for problems with ATT that were similar. The EU Commission and Germany are also keeping a close eye on things. The pattern of scrutiny is clear, even though the results are different.
What This Means for People Who Make Apps
This case sends developers a mixed message.
On the one hand, privacy compliance is still required. There is no easy way.
On the other hand, regulators may now be more willing to listen to worries about the power and fairness of platforms.
Developers who are affected by the €98.6 million fine against Apple in Italy for ATT rules that limit competition in the App Store may want to: • Carefully review consent flows • Get legal advice on how to follow EU competition rules • Look into other ways to make money besides ads.
Will Apple Change the Rules for ATT?
Apple hasn't said anything about changes that are directly related to the Italian ruling yet.
The company says that ATT protects all users equally.
Changes may or may not happen depending on the results of appeals or pressure from other EU regulators. There are no confirmed policy updates at this time.
What this means for the App Store economy as a whole
The fine from the Italian competition authority to Apple ATT isn't just about Apple.
It sends a message to other big platforms. Regulators are keeping an eye on who uses privacy tools and how they are used.
This could affect how tech companies design things in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the reason for Italy's €98.6 million fine on Apple?
Italy's competition authority said that Apple abused its dominant position by enforcing ATT rules in a way that hurt competition and helped its own services.
What does "App Tracking Transparency" mean?
Apple's ATT framework says that apps must ask for permission from users before tracking their activity on other apps and websites.
Does ATT break the law in the EU?
ATT does not break any EU laws. The regulator said that the problem was how Apple used it in a selective way.
Will this have an effect on how iOS apps make money?
Yes. Developers who rely on ads may make less money and need to change how they do business.
Final Thoughts
The €98.6 million fine from Italy to Apple for breaking ATT rules that limit competition in the App Store is a big change in how regulators see privacy tools that are controlled by big platforms.
Privacy is still very important. Competition is still important.
You can also read these important cybersecurity news articles on our website.
· Apple Update,
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