Hi, I just unpacked an iPhone and I noticed this weird widget that was pre-added to my home-screen. Looks like it is ads! Is this a new normal behavior for Apple?
When you click on it you get redirected to the app-store to download this ticket app
You are misunderstanding the widget and its purpose. You are free to get outraged if you want, but please do so knowing that you are barking up the wrong tree.
Apple placed it there, not me. If it was me I would be fine with that, it’s a new iPhone, I opened, updated and that’s an ad.