Apple Expands its Undermining of Publishers and App Developers; New Actions Will Reduce Diversity of Content, Products and Services, Burden Consumers | ANA Government Relations | ANA

Apple Expands its Undermining of Publishers and App Developers; New Actions Will Reduce Diversity of Content, Products and Services, Burden Consumers

For Immediate Release

Apple Expands its Undermining of Publishers and App Developers; New Actions Will Reduce Diversity of Content, Products and Services, Burden Consumers

WASHINGTON (June 24, 2020) - Apple made several announcements at its developers conference this week that expand the company’s policies that threaten the economic health of publishers and app developers. These initiatives could significantly impact the online advertising industry and the content, products, and services it supports. The Association of National Advertisers (ANA) and the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s) look forward to learning more details to understand the full impact of the announced changes but, at first glance, Apple’s actions appear to continue a damaging pattern that began with its Safari web browser and will now extend to its mobile app ecosystem.

“Apple’s ongoing changes to its Safari web browser under the banner of privacy have reduced revenue for website publishers, limiting their ability to invest in content and innovation,” said Dan Jaffe, Group Executive Vice President of Government Relations for ANA. “This week’s announcements will similarly harm publishers and developers of mobile apps as personalization, measurement, and other fundamental capabilities that marketers require to reach consumers cease to function.

“Advertising revenue funds vital news gathering and reporting and supports the development of innovative products and services,” said Alison Pepper, Executive Vice President of Government Relations for 4A’s. “Cutting off this critical income stream for mobile app publishers and developers will hurt an already struggling news industry and countless small businesses and developers who will be forced to find new sources of revenue to fund their operations in order to survive. Apple’s actions would further entrench its own power at the expense of app developers, publishers, and others who depend on advertising to serve their customers.”

“ANA and the 4A’s support efforts to protect consumer data from abuse or misuse while preserving the benefits that come from the responsible use of data. We believe that enacting a comprehensive federal law consistent with the framework proposed by the Privacy for America coalition is the best way to make progress on this issue,” said Jaffe. “These issues have broad societal implications that are best debated by Congress or developed in cooperation with others in the industry rather than unilaterally imposed by a single large company.”

ABOUT THE ANA: The ANA (Association of National Advertisers)'s mission is to drive growth for marketing professionals, for brands and businesses, and for the industry. Growth is foundational for all participants in the ecosystem. The ANA seeks to align those interests by leveraging the 12-point ANA Growth Agenda, which has been endorsed and embraced by the ANA Board of Directors and the Global CMO Growth Council. The ANA's membership consists of nearly 1,700 domestic and international companies, including more than 1,000 client-side marketers and nonprofit fundraisers and close to 600 marketing solutions providers (data science and technology companies, ad agencies, publishers, media companies, suppliers, and vendors). Collectively, ANA member companies represent 20,000 brands, engage 50,000 industry professionals, and invest more than $400 billion in marketing and advertising annually.

ABOUT THE 4A’s: The 4A’s helps empower our members to drive commerce, spark connections, and shape culture through infinite creativity. We are dedicated to, and vested in, our members’ success, just as they are dedicated to helping brands create, distribute, and measure effective and insightful advertising and marketing. With a focus on advocacy, talent, and the value of creativity and technology and their impact on driving business growth and powerful cultural change, we provide community, leadership, guidance, and best-in-class training that enable agencies to innovate, evolve, and grow. The 4A’s was established in 1917 to promote, advance, and defend the interests of our member agencies, their employees, and the industry at large. More than 100 years later, we continue to support the evolving needs of our community. Today, the organization serves 600+ member agencies across 1,200 offices, which help direct more than 85% of total U.S. advertising spend. 4A’s Benefits division insures more than 160,000 employees, and its Washington office advocates for policies that best support a thriving advertising industry. The 4A’s Foundation fuels a robust diversity pipeline of talent for its members and the marketing and media industry, fostering the next generation of leaders.