The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has warned Apple CEO Tim Cook about potential violations of consumer protection rules stemming from allegations that Apple News systematically suppresses conservative news outlets. FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson, in a letter to Cook on February 12, 2026, requested a review of the platform’s policies and curation practices, according to a press release from the FTC.
The inquiry follows a report by the Media Research Center (MRC), a conservative media watchdog, which claimed that none of the 620 top stories featured in Apple News during January 2026 originated from conservative media sources. The MRC report identified a majority of featured stories as coming from outlets including The Associated Press, NBC News, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, while specifically noting the absence of content from Fox News, the New York Post, the Daily Wire, and Breitbart News.
Ferguson’s letter emphasized that while the FTC does not act as a “speech police,” it is obligated to protect consumers from deceptive or misleading practices. He urged Cook to examine the algorithms and editorial decisions governing Apple News and to take “corrective action” if necessary. The FTC chairman stated the agency’s concern that companies suppressing or promoting views based on ideology could be in violation of consumer protection rules.
Apple has previously stated that its news app prioritizes journalism of “quality,” excluding content such as personal blogs, promotional material, and reports from websites that primarily aggregate or rewrite content. The company as well prohibits news containing “factual inaccuracies” or failing to adhere to “widely accepted journalistic standards.” A spokesperson for Apple declined to comment on the FTC’s warning.
The development comes amid mounting political pressure on Apple, with former President Donald Trump sharing news of the allegations in American conservative media circles. This scrutiny also follows Apple CEO Tim Cook’s attendance at President Trump’s second-term inauguration last year. The Apple News app currently ranks as the most popular news app in the US, Canada, and Australia, and the second most popular in the UK, according to Apple’s own data.
The FTC’s letter does not carry the legal authority to compel Apple News to alter its platform or processes. As of Thursday, February 13, 2026, Apple had not issued a public response to the FTC’s concerns.
