FTC Warns Apple News App May Violate Consumer Protection Laws

FTC chairman says political bias in curation of articles could be deceptive to users

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Federal Trade Commission has warned Apple that its Apple News app may be violating consumer protection laws by stifling right-leaning publications in its featured article selections. FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook, urging the company to review its curation practices and take corrective action if the app is not representing content in a way that is consistent with its terms of service and consumer expectations.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing concerns about potential political bias and censorship in major tech platforms and their impact on the free exchange of ideas. The FTC is taking a stronger stance against perceived ideological suppression by large tech firms, which could have broader implications for how digital media and news aggregation services operate.

The details

According to an analysis by the conservative Media Research Center, Apple News featured 620 stories in January 2026, none of which came from right-leaning outlets. The app featured a high volume of articles from left-leaning sources like The Washington Post and NPR, as well as centrist outlets like The Wall Street Journal. The FTC warned that such curation practices, if inconsistent with Apple's stated terms, could violate consumer protection laws around deceptive practices.

  • On February 10, 2026, The New York Post reported on the Media Research Center's study findings.
  • On February 11, 2026, FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook addressing the bias concerns.

The players

Andrew Ferguson

The chairman of the Federal Trade Commission who has vowed to crack down on censorship in tech.

Tim Cook

The CEO of Apple, the company that operates the Apple News app.

Media Research Center

A conservative watchdog group that analyzed the content featured in the Apple News app.

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What they’re saying

“These reports raise serious questions about whether Apple News is acting in accordance with its terms of service and its representations to consumers.”

— Andrew Ferguson, FTC Chairman (The New York Post)

“The First Amendment protects the speech of Big Tech firms. But 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.”

— Andrew Ferguson, FTC Chairman (The New York Post)

What’s next

The FTC urged Apple to conduct a comprehensive review of its terms of service and curation practices to ensure they are consistent with consumer expectations, and to take corrective action if needed.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over political bias and censorship in major tech platforms, and the FTC's growing willingness to scrutinize and potentially regulate these practices under consumer protection laws.