Trump FTC denies being “speech police” but says Apple News is too liberal

Andrew Ferguson, the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), has leveled serious allegations against Apple, claiming the tech giant is breaching U.S. law by favoring left-leaning news sources on its Apple News platform. Ferguson's accusations stem from research conducted by a pro-Trump organization that asserts Apple News has been suppressing articles from conservative outlets, including Fox News and the New York Post, among others. In a letter addressed to Apple CEO Tim Cook, Ferguson expressed concerns that Apple News may not be upholding the commitments outlined in its terms of service. However, his correspondence did not specify which provisions might be in violation. He stated, "Recent reports indicate that Apple News has been systematically promoting left-leaning news while sidelining content from conservative publications," highlighting the potential implications for consumer trust and expectations among the millions of Americans who rely on the platform. Craig Aaron, co-CEO of the media advocacy organization Free Press, responded to Ferguson's letter, describing it as both alarming and unfounded. He argued that the claims lacked factual basis and were rooted in partisan rhetoric. Aaron emphasized that such government interference poses a threat to free speech, suggesting that had a different administration imposed similar restrictions on major media outlets, it would have sparked outrage. Ferguson further articulated his stance, stating, "As an American, I strongly oppose any form of ideological censorship. These actions, whether influenced by activists or foreign entities, hinder open dialogue and contradict core American values." As of now, Apple has not publicly responded to the FTC's letter, but Aaron insists that the company must take a definitive stance against what he calls a dangerous government intrusion into content regulation.