The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has raised concerns over allegations that Apple News may be suppressing right-leaning content on its platform.
In a letter addressed to Apple CEO Tim Cook, FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson referenced claims made by the Media Research Center, a conservative-leaning think tank. The group alleged that right-leaning news outlets were excluded from the top 20 articles featured in the Apple News feed, suggesting potential bias in content curation.
Ferguson’s letter reportedly questioned whether the ranking mechanisms or editorial processes used by Apple News may disadvantage certain political viewpoints. While the FTC has not announced a formal investigation, the communication signals heightened regulatory scrutiny over how major technology platforms curate and distribute news content.
Apple News aggregates stories from a wide range of publishers and uses a combination of algorithms and editorial oversight to determine featured content. The company has not publicly responded in detail to the latest claims but has previously maintained that its platform aims to provide a diverse and balanced range of perspectives.
The development comes amid broader debates in the United States over alleged political bias by large technology companies. Lawmakers and regulators from different political backgrounds have increasingly examined how digital platforms moderate content, rank information and shape public discourse.
Media policy analysts say the issue highlights growing tension between platform discretion, algorithmic transparency and free speech considerations. They note that any regulatory action would likely require clear evidence of discriminatory practices rather than editorial judgment or automated ranking outcomes.
The FTC’s concerns underscore ongoing scrutiny of major tech companies as policymakers continue to assess the influence of digital platforms on news consumption and political engagement.
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