Apple News users report an influx of suspicious ads featuring AI-generated content and fraudulent 'going out of business' schemes, with domain registration data revealing recently created websites likely designed to deceive.
When Apple partnered with Taboola in 2024 to manage advertising within Apple News, industry observers like John Gruber noted the ads already resembled Taboola's notorious 'chumbox' content. What's emerged since is worse: a deluge of ads displaying classic scam patterns that undermine Apple's premium service reputation.
Recent investigations reveal ads promoting domains registered mere weeks or months before appearing in Apple News:
| Domain | Registration Date | Registrar |
|---|---|---|
| MUSTYLEVO.COM | 2026-01-21 | Gname |
| SOLVERACO.COM | 2025-12-05 | Alibaba Cloud |
| SHIYAATELIER.COM | 2025-11-12 | Name.com |
| TIDENOX.COM | 2025-05-29 | Alibaba Cloud |
Example 1: MUSTYLEVO.COM ad featuring AI-generated imagery
The Tidenox example epitomizes the trend: an ad claiming "26 years in business" shows an AI-generated elderly woman declaring retirement. As the Better Business Bureau warns, such tactics lure customers before domains vanish. Tidenox's actual registration dates to May 2025—nowhere near 26 years.
Example 2: SOLVERACO.COM's suspicious product claims
Technical analysis reveals common scam markers:
- AI-generated visuals: Inconsistent details (e.g., distorted hands, unnatural lighting)
- Urgency tactics: "Going out of business" or "limited-time" offers
- Newly registered domains: All examples registered within past 6 months
- Geographic obfuscation: Registrars based in China/Gibraltar
Example 3: SHIYAATELIER.COM's improbable luxury claims
Apple News+ subscribers paying £13/month still encounter these ads, raising questions about Apple's ad verification. Taboola's publisher policies prohibit deceptive content, yet these ads persist.
Neither Apple nor Taboola has commented on whether:
- Domain age verification occurs
- AI-generated scam patterns trigger review
- Advertiser identities undergo validation
The situation highlights a critical vulnerability: premium platforms become scam vectors when ad networks prioritize revenue over verification. Until Apple enforces stricter scrutiny, users should treat Apple News ads with extreme skepticism.
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