Publishers Upset Over Apple's Opt-Out Terms for Inclusion in iOS 9 News App

Apple News IconApple recently sent a mass email to news publishers to introduce them to Apple News, an upcoming Flipboard-inspired app for iOS 9 that will deliver curated news and magazine stories with custom layouts, photo galleries, videos and animations optimized for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

The email has ignited some controversy in the news and blogging community over the past week, according to the BBC, which reports that some writers are disappointed about Apple's decision to automatically include a website's RSS feeds in Apple News unless they specifically opt out by replying to the email.

"Let me get this straight, Apple: you send me an e-mail outlining the terms under which you will redistribute my content, and you will just assume that I agree to your terms unless I opt out?" wrote Plausible Labs programmer Mike Ash on his personal blog. "This makes typical clickwrap EULA nonsense look downright reasonable by comparison. You're going to consider me bound to terms you just declared to me in an e-mail as long as I don't respond? That's completely crazy. You don't even know if I received the e-mail!"

Some bloggers argue that not all publishers are guaranteed to see the email, which could easily be overlooked or buried in a spam inbox, leading to their content being featured on Apple News without their knowledge or explicit consent. Apple also has permission to place advertising next to or near a publisher's content without providing any compensation, and will pass on any legal fees to publishers.

  • You agree to let us use, display, store, and reproduce the content in your RSS feeds including placing advertising next to or near your content without compensation to you. Don’t worry, we will not put advertising inside your content without your permission.

  • You confirm that you have all necessary rights to publish your RSS content, and allow Apple to use it for News as we set forth here. You will be responsible for any payments that might be due to any contributors or other third parties for the creation and use of your RSS content.

  • If we receive a legal claim about your RSS content, we will tell you so that you can resolve the issue, including indemnifying Apple if Apple is included in the claim.

  • You can remove your RSS feed whenever you want by opting out or changing your settings in News Publisher.
  • Apple News is highlighted as one of the main features on the iOS 9 preview page, so it is no surprise that Apple is attempting to have as much content available on the platform at launch as possible. It is clear, however, that many publishers would have appreciated the terms of Apple News being set on an opt-in rather than opt-out basis. Apple so far has not commented on those concerns.

    Popular Stories

    iOS 26 Feature

    iOS 26.1 to iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

    Wednesday October 1, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
    iOS 26 was released last month, but the software train never stops, and iOS 26.1 beta testing is already underway. So far, iOS 26.1 makes both Apple Intelligence and Live Translation on compatible AirPods available in additional languages, and it includes some other minor changes across Apple Music, Calendar, Photos, and Safari. More features and changes will follow in future versions,...
    iPhone 17 vs Air and Pros Feature

    New iPhones See 'Stronger Than Expected' Demand With One Exception

    Thursday October 2, 2025 7:26 am PDT by
    Nearly two weeks after the iPhone 17 series launched, analysts at investment banking firm Morgan Stanley said demand for the devices has been "modestly stronger than we originally expected," based on a combination of extended shipping estimates on Apple's online store and information it gathered from Apple's supply chain. There has been strong early demand for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro,...
    space black mbp

    Here's Every New Apple Product That Leaked Yesterday

    Wednesday October 1, 2025 8:27 am PDT by
    A handful of upcoming Apple products leaked yesterday, through a combination of YouTube videos out of Russia and U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) documents that were released, despite Apple's confidentiality requests. The leaked products include an iPad Pro with an M5 chip, as well as updated MacBook Pro and Apple Vision Pro models. All of these devices had already been rumored...
    Apple 2025 Thumb 1

    Apple's 2025 Product Roadmap: What's Still Coming

    Wednesday October 1, 2025 3:56 pm PDT by
    Apple's two big yearly events, WWDC and the iPhone launch, are done and over with, but there are still some new products that we're expecting to see before the end of the year. Apple TV The Apple TV hasn't been updated since 2022, so it's due for a refresh. It doesn't look like Apple is going to change the design of its set-top box, but we can expect a faster chip Apple code suggests...
    Tim Cook Rainbow

    Apple Event in October? Here's What to Expect

    Monday September 29, 2025 9:31 am PDT by
    Apple's annual iPhone event is in the rearview mirror, but rumors suggest the company plans to release a handful of additional products before the year ends. Will there be another Apple event this October? We discuss the possibility below. Apple in October Apple's most recent October events were in 2021 and 2023. In 2022 and 2024, Apple did not host an October event. Instead, it...
    macbook air prime day 2025

    M5 MacBook Air: Release Date, Features, and Performance Predictions

    Friday October 3, 2025 3:39 am PDT by
    The MacBook Air is Apple's most popular laptop – a thin, fanless machine that wields quiet power thanks to the efficiency of Apple silicon. While the M4 model isn't exactly old, attention is already turning to its successor. Apple doesn't telegraph new product launches ahead of time, but we can draw a surprisingly clear picture of what to expect by looking at Apple's silicon roadmap,...
    apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro teal 1

    Apple's iPhone Driver's License Feature Now Available in 11 U.S. States

    Tuesday September 30, 2025 6:40 am PDT by
    In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Apple recently revealed that the feature would soon be available in North Dakota, and starting today, the feature has officially gone...
    iPhone 17e Feature 1

    iPhone 17e: All the Rumors So Far

    Thursday October 2, 2025 4:55 am PDT by
    Earlier this year, Apple released the $599 iPhone 16e – a budget-friendly late addition to its iPhone 16 series and a replacement for its long-running entry-level iPhone SE line. Given the iPhone 17 lineup has now launched, can we expect an iPhone 17e anytime soon? If you're holding out for a more affordable device with the 17 moniker attached, here's everything we know so far about the...
    iOS 26 Everything New Feature

    26 Hidden iOS 26 Tricks to Change How You Use Your iPhone

    Wednesday October 1, 2025 9:16 am PDT by
    Apple released iOS 26 in mid-September, bringing a range of new features and changes to iPhones across the globe. But not all of the included improvements have been showcased with Apple's typical fanfare, and many are likely to have been overlooked. Below, we've highlighted 26 lesser known additions and enhancements that could potentially change how you use your iPhone on a daily basis. Got...

    Top Rated Comments

    PilotC150 Avatar
    135 months ago
    If it's a public RSS feed, then is there really a problem with what's Apple's doing? They're just using content that's publicly available content and providing it to Apple users. They're not charging for it, nor are they redistributing content that's supposed to be behind a paywall.

    To me it seems the email was just to let the publishers know that Apple is using the content that's already being provided and allowing the providers to opt-out if they wish. As long as Apple isn't claiming that they created the content (and giving credit to the creators) then I don't see what the problem is.
    Score: 99 Votes (Like | Disagree)
    rbrian Avatar
    135 months ago
    Isn't that what rss is for? Why provide such a feed if you don't want anyone to use it? And didn't Flipboard do the exact same thing years ago? I'm just guessing here, please correct me if I'm wrong.

    I'd be more annoyed if I was Flipboard, who seem to have been Sherlocked...
    Score: 79 Votes (Like | Disagree)
    bennibeef Avatar
    135 months ago
    But... isnt this what RSS feeds are for?

    Yeah, that doesnt sound very nice if you read there may be ads next to your stuff, but I mean, when I use an app that reads RSS feeds and displays ads.. whats different?
    Score: 49 Votes (Like | Disagree)
    edgr.sanchez Avatar
    135 months ago
    The RSS feeds that Apple will be using to add content to Apple News is the same RSS feed that I, a regular guy, can parse and add into my own app right?
    Score: 47 Votes (Like | Disagree)
    Pbrutto Avatar
    135 months ago
    What next? A free U2 album I didn't ask for?
    Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
    edgr.sanchez Avatar
    135 months ago
    Isn't that what rss is for? Why provide such a feed if you don't want anyone to use it? And didn't Flipboard do the exact same thing years ago? I'm just guessing here, please correct me if I'm wrong.

    I'd be more annoyed if I was Flipboard, who seem to have been Sherlocked...
    If it's a public RSS feed, then is there really a problem with what's Apple's doing? They're just using content that's publicly available content and providing it to Apple users. They're not charging for it, nor are they redistributing content that's supposed to be behind a paywall.

    To me it seems the email was just to let the publishers know that Apple is using the content that's already being provided and allowing the providers to opt-out if they wish. As long as Apple isn't claiming that they created the content (and giving credit to the creators) then I don't see what the problem is.
    That's exactly what I was thinking. They're using the RSS feeds provided by the news sites.
    Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)