Claims of biased curation in Apple News have prompted FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson to reach out to Tim Cook. The controversy stems from a report by the conservative group Media Research Center (MRC), which asserts that during January 2026, Apple News did not include any right-leaning sources among the top 20 articles in its morning editions.
The MRC's findings suggest a pattern where articles from left-leaning and elite media outlets were prominently featured, while conservative publications faced systematic exclusion. In a letter addressed to Cook, Ferguson expressed concern that these practices might violate Section 5 of the FTC Act, which addresses unfair or deceptive acts.
Ferguson's letter emphasized that First Amendment protections for tech companies do not justify potential violations of consumer expectations or material omissions related to ideological favoritism. He cited previous studies, including one from December 2025, supporting the claims of bias against conservative media. The FTC Chairman concluded by reminding Cook of Apple’s obligations under the FTC Act.