Apple News Under Fire for Hosting Scam-Like Advertisements
Apple’s collaboration with Taboola to manage advertisements within Apple News has sparked significant controversy, as users report a surge in low-quality and potentially deceptive ads. This development raises concerns about Apple’s commitment to maintaining a premium and trustworthy platform.
The Taboola Partnership and Its Implications
In 2024, Apple entered into an agreement with Taboola, a prominent ad-tech company, to oversee ad placements in Apple News. Taboola, known for its extensive reach and substantial market value, has also been criticized for disseminating misleading advertisements across various platforms. This partnership appeared contradictory to Apple’s image as a provider of high-quality, privacy-centric services.
Industry experts expressed skepticism about the alliance. John Gruber of Daring Fireball remarked that the ads in Apple News already resembled Taboola’s content, suggesting that the partnership might not lead to significant changes. He noted the repetitive nature of these ads, implying a potential decline in content quality.
Escalating Concerns Over Deceptive Advertisements
Recent observations by tech writer Kirk McElhearn have intensified these concerns. McElhearn reported encountering numerous ads within Apple News that appeared to promote fraudulent products, often featuring AI-generated images. Some ads even displayed remnants of Google Gemini watermarks, indicating a lack of authenticity.
Further investigation into the domains associated with these ads revealed that many were registered only weeks or months prior, a common tactic among scam operations to evade detection. This pattern suggests a systemic issue within Apple News’s advertising framework.
Exploiting Urgency and Familiar Scams
A notable example highlighted by McElhearn involves an advertisement for a brand named Tidenox. The ad claimed that the owner was retiring after 26 years, urging consumers to make purchases before the store’s imminent closure. The accompanying image depicted an elderly woman, likely generated by AI.
However, a closer examination of the domain revealed it was registered in 2025 and traced back to China, contradicting the ad’s narrative. This tactic mirrors longstanding going out of business scams, where consumers are enticed to buy products that are either substandard or never delivered.
The Erosion of User Trust
Apple’s decision to integrate Taboola’s ad network into Apple News has seemingly compromised the platform’s integrity. By allowing low-quality and potentially deceptive ads, Apple risks undermining user trust and tarnishing its reputation for delivering premium content.
This situation underscores the need for Apple to reassess its advertising partnerships and implement stricter quality controls. Ensuring that advertisements align with the company’s standards is crucial to maintaining user confidence and the overall credibility of Apple News.
