Apple's ATT power play: the hard truths of throttled competition and concentrated leverage

Critics have said Apple’s App Tracking Transparency (ATT) plan is an elaborate ruse to convince consumers it cares about privacy while it uses the opportunity to expand its advertising offerings. Such a move could cripple advertising and give Apple more leverage to negotiate with developers. Which would, in turn, make app developers even more dependent on the App Store for distribution. Read more below.

• Skeptics argue that Apple’s App Tracking Transparency (ATT) plan is a smokescreen to expand its ads business under the cover of privacy.
• Bitcoin will now be held on Time's books, further solidifying the publisher's investment in the crypto world.
• For Digiday+ members, while media buyers say they’ve prepared clients and done what they can to manage the potential impact of the iOS 14 update, the ongoing uncertainty has led to a feeling of we’ll figure it out when it comes, explained buyers.
• Since August, 17-year-old Sienna Mae Gomez has not only attracted millions of followers on TikTok but landed deals with brands including Maybelline and Levi’s. She has started her own bathing suit line and signed a deal to star in a Netflix reality show.
• Also for Digiday+ members, producers hoping for the return of in-person business events may have to wait through the summer, at least, according to Digiday research.
• Industry veteran Michael Bürgi joins Digiday as senior editor, media buying and planning to expand our coverage in this space and to guide editorial’s involvement in the programming and execution of our Media Buying Summits.