In today’s Digest, we discuss Apple planning ads for Maps, X losing its advertising boss, and the EU’s preliminary findings that Meta and TikTok broke transparency obligations.

Apple plans ads for Maps

Apple Maps may soon feature advertisements, marking a significant shift in the app’s user experience. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is preparing to roll out sponsored listings as early as next year, allowing physical businesses like restaurants and retail stores to pay for placement in search results. 

In an effort to stand out from rivals, Apple is expected to leverage artificial intelligence to deliver more relevant ad placements. It also plans to enhance the interface for a smoother user experience. However, Gurman raises concerns about potential backlash from users, who may grow weary of Apple’s ecosystem increasingly resembling a marketplace of paid promotions. 

X loses advertising boss

John Nitti, who had held the role of global head of revenue operations and advertising innovation at X, has exited the company after just 10 months. Nitti’s exit adds to a growing list of high-level departures at X, highlighting the ongoing leadership churn under Elon Musk’s stewardship. 

xAI’s last CFO Mike Liberatore and previous general counsel Robert Keele both left within months of joining, while X’s own CFO Mahmoud Reza Banki resigned in October after less than a year. Sources close to the company cite frustration with Musk’s unpredictable strategic shifts and his tendency to override leadership decisions, particularly in advertising. 

Despite these challenges, X and xAI have continued to court advertisers, touting improved metrics powered by AI and securing partnerships with major brands like Disney.

EU finds Meta & TikTok broke transparency obligations

The European Commission has issued preliminary findings accusing Meta and TikTok of failing to meet transparency obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA), particularly regarding researcher access to public data. The DSA mandates that major platforms implement effective systems to curb illegal and harmful content, and the Commission argues that both companies have created overly complex procedures that hinder researchers' requests for access to public data. Meta’s Facebook and Instagram were also cited for lacking accessible tools to report serious content violations, such as child exploitation and terrorism-related material.

Meta has pushed back against the allegations, stating that it has updated its reporting and data access systems to align with EU regulations. TikTok, while affirming its commitment to transparency, raised concerns about conflicting requirements between the DSA and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), urging regulators to clarify how both laws should be reconciled. The Commission emphasised that these findings are not final and that both companies have the opportunity to address the issues before any penalties are imposed.

Should the investigation confirm the breaches, Meta and TikTok could face fines of up to 6% of their annual global revenue.