London: British newspaper groups are sounding the alarm over Apple’s potential implementation of a “web eraser” tool in its Safari browser, a move that could block advertisements and other unwanted website content, as reported by the Financial Times on Sunday.
The newspaper highlighted concerns that this action could jeopardize the financial sustainability of journalism.
Apple is reportedly developing an AI-based privacy feature for Safari in its upcoming iOS 18 software update, aiming to automatically remove ads and other undesirable content from websites.
This development has sparked worries among industry stakeholders, with the News Media Association (NMA), a leading industry body, expressing concerns about its potential impact on digital revenues.
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According to the Financial Times, the NMA sent a letter to Apple’s UK government affairs chief on Friday, emphasizing the importance of advertising revenue in supporting professional journalism.
The letter from the NMA raised critical questions about the implications of employing artificial intelligence tools to selectively edit or remove content from articles. It underscored the significance of editorial accountability in upholding the integrity and trustworthiness of news media.
The association stressed the necessity for a comprehensive discussion between publishers and Apple to address the ramifications of the proposed “web eraser” tool.
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Representing a coalition of UK-based national, regional, and local news media organizations, the NMA has advocated for a dialogue with Apple to assess the potential implications of its ad-blocking plans.
The association’s website outlines its mission to safeguard the interests of the news media industry and ensure its continued viability.
Both Apple and the NMA refrained from immediate comments in response to Reuters’ request for clarification on the matter.
