FTC Calls Out Apparent Liberal Bias on Apple News
FTC Chairman Warns Apple That Suppressing Conservative Voices May Break Consumer Protection Rules
Millions of Americans use Apple News on their iPhones and iPads to stay informed. The app pulls together stories from many sources and puts some at the top based on what its editors think matters. But recent studies show a clear pattern: it heavily features left-leaning outlets like The Washington Post, NBC News, and The New York Times while ignoring major conservative ones.
FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson, a Trump appointee, sent a formal warning letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook about this issue. He pointed to reports showing Apple News promoted hundreds of liberal articles but featured zero from conservative sources in top slots over weeks or months. Ferguson warned that if this favoritism misleads users who expect fair news or goes against Apple's own terms of service, it could violate the FTC Act.
This isn't just about one app. Many conservatives have long suspected Big Tech companies like Apple, Google, and Meta tilt the information Americans see. Apple News claims to deliver balanced content, but the numbers tell a different story. Studies from groups tracking media found no right-leaning outlets in key morning top stories for entire months.
Ferguson made it clear the FTC isn't trying to dictate what news Apple shows. But the agency can step in when companies deceive customers. He told Cook to review the app's practices and fix any problems quickly.
This matters because Apple News reaches tens of millions of people. When one company controls what rises to the top, it shapes what everyday Americans read about politics, culture, and current events. Conservatives already deal with similar complaints about search results and social media feeds. Apple's case shows the problem goes beyond social platforms.
It's good to see the FTC pushing back. Companies shouldn't get a free pass to hide behind claims of neutrality while pushing one side. Americans deserve better from the tech giants they rely on every day.
Sources / Further Reading
- FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson Warning Letter to Tim Cook (official PDF): https://ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/apple-news-warning-letter.pdf
- Washington Times: "Federal Trade Commission calls out Apple for slanting its news app to the left" https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/feb/12/federal-trade-commission-calls-apple-slanting-news-app-left/
- MediaPost: "FTC Chair Warns Apple Over News Curation" https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/412758/ftc-chair-warns-apple-over-news-curation.html
- Reuters: "US FTC raises concerns over accusations Apple News favors articles from left-wing outlets" https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-ftc-raises-concerns-over-accusations-apple-news-favors-articles-left-wing-2026-02-12/
- New York Post coverage of Media Research Center study: https://nypost.com/2026/02/10/business/apple-news-promotes-left-leaning-media-outlets-as-it-shuts-out-conservative-sites-entirely-study/