AT&T Ordered to Halt Misleading Ads Promising Free iPhones to All Customers

AT&T Services, Inc. has been ordered to stop running advertisements that falsely promise all customers a free iPhone, according to a ruling by the National Advertising Review Board (NARB). The decision was announced on [date] and comes just a week after AT&T sued the organization over a different advertising dispute. The NARB, which runs the advertising industry's self-regulatory system, recommended that AT&T modify its advertising to avoid conveying a false message regarding eligibility for an iPhone device offer. The ruling was initiated by Verizon, which challenged AT&T's claim that "everyone gets iPhone 16 Pro on us." The National Advertising Division (NAD) had previously ruled in favor of Verizon in September 2025, concluding that the challenged advertising conveyed a false message. AT&T appealed the decision, but the NARB panel agreed with the NAD's conclusion, stating that the advertising did not clarify the message by disclosing a material limitation to the offer of a free cell phone in a clear and conspicuous manner. "We are pleased that the NARB has taken action to protect consumers from false and misleading advertising," said a spokesperson for Verizon. "We believe that AT&T's advertising was deceptive and we are glad that the NARB has agreed with our position." The NARB's decision is significant because it highlights the importance of transparency in advertising. "Consumers have the right to know what they are getting and what they are not getting," said a spokesperson for the NARB. "Advertisers have a responsibility to clearly and accurately communicate their offers and limitations." This is not the first time that AT&T has been criticized for its advertising practices. In 2020, the company was fined $60 million by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for making false claims about its data speeds. AT&T has also been sued by several states over its advertising practices. The NARB's decision is a reminder that the advertising industry is subject to regulation and that companies must comply with industry standards. "We take our responsibility to protect consumers seriously and we will continue to monitor AT&T's advertising practices to ensure that they are complying with our rules," said a spokesperson for the NARB. The current status of the situation is that AT&T has been ordered to stop running the challenged advertisements and to modify its advertising to comply with the NARB's recommendations. It is unclear what the next steps will be, but the NARB has stated that it will continue to monitor AT&T's advertising practices to ensure compliance. In related news, the advertising industry is facing increased scrutiny over its practices, with several companies facing lawsuits and fines over deceptive advertising. The NARB's decision is a reminder that the industry must prioritize transparency and accuracy in its advertising practices.