Apple CEO Tim Cook on Privacy: 'We Very Much Are on Your Side'

[Abazigal]

McDonalds sells more burgers now than in the past. Therefore whoever the current CEO is must be a massive genius and way better than the founders.

Is anyone saying that Tim Cook is better than Steve Jobs in every area?

Different people are needed at different points in a company history. Jobs was right for his era, but he would have been a disaster for the Cook era. Cook is amazing, and has been responsible for most of the achievements of Apple, but not the initial innovation and concept that Jobs provided. Cook has refined the culture and expanded it, and has done as fine a job as any CEO in American history, if not world business history, dare I say.

Tim Cook is Eisenhower, not Churchill, and I don't see anything wrong with this. So Tim Cook doesn't have as much charisma as Steve Jobs on stage. Big deal. It just means that his keynotes are perhaps not as exciting to watch, but it still means I get my AirPods and apple watches at the end of the day.

 

[Khedron]

Jobs was right for his era, but he would have been a disaster for the Cook era.

What an astonishing claim.

 

[Abazigal]

What an astonishing claim.

Apple ships 200 million iPhones a year. Credit where credit is due, not anyone can just make that happen with the snap of his fingers.

Or to phrase it another way - the best products are useless if a company can't make enough of them to sell.

 

[FFR]

McDonalds sells more burgers now than in the past. Therefore whoever the current CEO is must be a massive genius and way better than the founders.

Well if they can keep up the volume while increasing asp of each burger to $865, then yes he would be a genius. Is that what you think is happening at McDonald’s.

Are you buying $825 burgers from McDonald’s?

 

[FFR]

Apple ships 200 million iPhones a year. Credit where credit is due, not anyone can just make that happen with the snap of his fingers.

Or to phrase it another way - the best products are useless if a company can't make enough of them to sell.

200 million phones with an asp of almost $900 per year. That’s a huge distinction.

 

[curtvaughan]

The rest of the time he's a political activist.

Not defending Cook particularly, but if you believe that most successful CEO's of major multi-national corporations are not politically active you just aren't paying attention. Both PR and political activism are used in projecting image to the public, and gaining political favor for business interests. At minimum they hire PR experts and professional lobbyists toward those ends.

 

[BootsWalking]

So you don't actually have any proof, nor do you understand the underlying architecture of iOS.

You're missing the forest for the trees. Every Google search a user does sends the actual search string to Google. Add up all those searches, include IP address and basic browser submit data, and Google now has all the data they need.

You think Google is paying $9B/year to Apple out of the kindness of their heart?

 

[Khedron]

Not defending Cook particularly, but if you believe that most successful CEO's of major multi-national corporations are not politically active you just aren't paying attention. Both PR and political activism are used in projecting image to the public, and gaining political favor for business interests. At minimum they hire PR experts and professional lobbyists toward those ends.

Exactly, Apple just successfully lobbied against customer rights for repairs because Tim knows AppleCare is a license to print money.

Still on our side though.

 

[curtvaughan]

This privacy talking is getting boring. Looks like he doesn’t have anything better to talk about like.. Macs???

I note that your signature, AirPods | Apple TV 4K | Apple Watch Series 4 | HomePod | iPhone Xs Max | MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018), lists only one Mac among iOS devices, Apple speakers and headphones, and an Apple TV. Macs are no longer the mainstay product for Apple, indicated by neglect of the Pro, iMac, and Mini lines, as well as QC issues with laptops. Of the products listed, the Mac represents one out of six - roughly 16%. From Apple's perspective, at least from that of its top executives, Macs have been relegated to "also ran" kudos to nostalgia. Not saying I like it, but that is how it appears. As per privacy, I'm not so much bored as a non-believer. That's also the case with the token environmentalism. To point at companies like Google, Amazon, or Samsung as bad or worse is just deflection. They all work toward the bottom line, but with varying styles and PR points. In Apple's case, they have successfully taken a privacy stance superior to Google and Android. It sells as the lesser of the evils. They all still track metadata in the form of purchase habits, GPS tracking of your daily routines, etc. They all still locate their intensive labor with the cheapest foreign bidders, generally Asia, and prefer to locate corporate headquarters wherever they can get the best tax breaks.

 

[cfurlin]

Make Apple great again!

Steve’ dead. Adjust.

 

[ipponrg]

And pray tell - who is this audience that is supposedly being forgotten, and what exactly is the big deal again?

The Apple of today serves a very different group of users today compared to 10-20 years ago. To put it bluntly, these original core group of users simply don’t matter anymore. They got to enjoy the ride from the start, but now their secluded island has been inundated by a population of visitors that outnumbers them by a couple of orders of magnitude.

This new population sets the tone for what kind of company Apple will become, because they have the power in this new relationship.

Has Apple “lost its way”? Apple is slowly but surely transitioning into a much more traditional company, and its behaviour will start to match those of a traditional company’s behaviour. If you want to consider that as them “losing their way”, then yeah.

And with regards to subscribing to Neil Cybart, I spend $200 a year, and I consider it worth every last cent. His articles really offer a lot of insight into how Apple works and thinks. I don't really care all that much for his financial analysis (which is ironic, given that this is his forte, but numbers just bore me), but he is generally quite close to the mark. For instance, I recall he estimated that the iPhone user base was 945 million at the start of the year (Apple would shortly announce that they had 900 million active iPhone users, which is much closer than the ~600 million some of you were running with here).

https://www.ped30.com/2019/01/31/apple-best-worst-analysts-q1-2019/

And he is considered the most accurate analyst as of the start of this year.

So tell me - what exactly have you all said or done of late to give you any credibility? When Apple continues to prosper in spite of the numerous criticism levelled at them, maybe it's time to reflect on previously-held assumptions and prejudices, rather than double down on them?

What I am instead seeing here is a small group of extremely vocal Mac enthusiasts who feel that they have been left behind by Apple (perhaps not unjustifiably so), and as such, are completely incapable of evaluating any of Apple's subsequent endeavours in an objective light. I mean, you all routinely criticise anything by Apple that isn't a Mac Pro. One Macrumours member even has a bingo card which (pretty accurately) sums up how the haters will respond to any piece of news.

How sad is that?

Are you the Singaporean version of Neil Cybart? You only buy into facts that fit your narrative? Where is your critical thinking? If Apple starts to digress, you’re already too late. Neil, like you, have only been championing since they got in during the glory days. When things go bad, they react with an explanation when the writing was on the wall previously. Regression does not happen overnight.

Cybart has been right early on, but he will face criticism in today’s age. It’s evident that many people are unhappy currently, but he continues to preach that Apple hardware and software are masterful. He now intentionally ignores negatives and only focuses on the positives. Creatively, he has inspired a cohort of a new type Apple follower such as yourself. We will see what happens as Microsoft and other companies continue opening their platforms. If you think it’s only Macrumors people that are unhappy, step outside and get a little sunshine.

I remember I asked you anecdotally what do Singaporeans use more? Spotify or Apple Music. Your response: Spotify.

 

[AxiomaticRubric]

Apple CEO Tim Cook on Privacy: 'We Very Much Are on Your Side'

NSA on Apple's Privacy Rhetoric: 'lololololol........'

 

[antonis]

Easy to say when you offer a closed system that nobody can prove you wrong since there's no access to the code.
Zuckerberg also told many times how he values user data security and privacy.
Snowden had some disagreements on that matter, though.

 

[Abazigal]

I remember I asked you anecdotally what do Singaporeans use more? Spotify or Apple Music. Your response: Spotify.

Your point being?

You only buy into facts that fit your narrative? Where is your critical thinking? If Apple starts to digress, you’re already too late. Neil, like you, have only been championing since they got in during the glory days. When things go bad, they react with an explanation when the writing was on the wall previously. Regression does not happen overnight.

Critical thinking doesn't mean you have to be critical of a company for the sake of being critical or contrary either. Or has it always been the in thing to categorically bash on Apple every chance you get?

Let's just say that in the 2+ years I have been subscribed to Aboveavalon, I have been very impressed by the quality of the articles he puts out, day after day, on the various Apple-related news. His analysis has been fairly spot-on, and I find that I have learnt a lot about Apple from him during this time.

Far more than I would have gleaned from ranting and railing against Apple here all day at any rate.

Remember when people thought the iphone X wouldn't sell because it cost $1k? Where was the critical thinking back then?

Remember when people claimed that nobody would develop for iOS because of Android's overwhelming market share?

This forum continues to be overwhelming negative about the Apple Watch and the AirPods right from the get go, despite it being clear that they are runaway successes.

I honestly think that many of you here would benefit from trying out a subscription to Aboveavalon for a while. Seriously, if you have a spare $200 lying around, do consider signing up and giving it a go for a year. You won't regret it.

Cybart has been right early on, but he will face criticism in today’s age. It’s evident that many people are unhappy currently, but he continues to preach that Apple hardware and software are masterful. He now intentionally ignores negatives and only focuses on the positives.

I will say that it is the inverse. It is the critics here who overwhelming focus on nitpicking each and every negative piece of Apple news, however small or inconsequential, and blowing them completely out of proportion, while disregarding everything that Apple has done well, or how everything Apple has done is putting in place the pieces that will allow them to continue thriving in the future.

Likewise, people seem to conveniently overlook the fact that the apple experience comprises of Apple's hardware, software and services working in tandem to offer a superior user experience compared to just cobbling a bunch of disparate products together. Which makes up for any failings or limitations the individual products may have.

Otherwise, it's the same refrain day in and day out. Where's my Mac Pro? Why isn't the iPad running macOS yet? When will Apple offer a cheaper iPhone? Apple needs to buy Netflix. And you know what the funny thing is? Each of these points have been debunked and refuted by Neil Cybart many times over.

We will see what happens as Microsoft and other companies continue opening their platforms. If you think it’s only Macrumors people that are unhappy, step outside and get a little sunshine.

Of course there are people who are unhappy with Apple products, just as there are people unhappy with windows, or Samsung, or any product out there in the sun. And with over 900 million active iPhone users and 1.4 billion apple devices in circulation, I expect the number of unhappy customers to be in the millions (even 1% is already 10 million, give or take).

I still say the same thing - one bets against Apple to their own detriment. And this is my own quote, not Neil's.

 

[poe diddley]

 

[I7guy]

You're missing the forest for the trees. Every Google search a user does sends the actual search string to Google. Add up all those searches, include IP address and basic browser submit data, and Google now has all the data they need.

You think Google is paying $9B/year to Apple out of the kindness of their heart?

What? Are you saying Apple is handing over their private data to google. If you are not saying that, are you saying Apple should block google.com for Apple devices. If you are not saying that either, it’s irrelevant that google pays money to Apple.

 

[realtuner]

So you're ok with Tim's complete hypocrisy? Noted

How is it hypocrisy? If Apple handed over my data to Google it would be hypocrisy. Since they protect my identity it’s not.

El oh el....courage huh? I switched quite some time ago and have never looked back.

Google thanks you for your data.

 

[I7guy]

I note that your signature, AirPods | Apple TV 4K | Apple Watch Series 4 | HomePod | iPhone Xs Max | MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018), lists only one Mac among iOS devices, Apple speakers and headphones, and an Apple TV. Macs are no longer the mainstay product for Apple, indicated by neglect of the Pro, iMac, and Mini lines, as well as QC issues with laptops. Of the products listed, the Mac represents one out of six - roughly 16%. From Apple's perspective, at least from that of its top executives, Macs have been relegated to "also ran" kudos to nostalgia. Not saying I like it, but that is how it appears. As per privacy, I'm not so much bored as a non-believer. That's also the case with the token environmentalism. To point at companies like Google, Amazon, or Samsung as bad or worse is just deflection. They all work toward the bottom line, but with varying styles and PR points. In Apple's case, they have successfully taken a privacy stance superior to Google and Android. It sells as the lesser of the evils. They all still track metadata in the form of purchase habits, GPS tracking of your daily routines, etc. They all still locate their intensive labor with the cheapest foreign bidders, generally Asia, and prefer to locate corporate headquarters wherever they can get the best tax breaks.

Your point is unclear and lost in items not related to privacy. Apple would be foolish and probably against the law if it didn’t track certain data about you. I’m not worried about a third party (without a legal request) getting my data or Apple monetizing my data except where I’ve given that consent.

Facebook has set a low bar for privacy that is beaten all over the place.

 

[Baymowe335]

McDonalds sells more burgers now than in the past. Therefore whoever the current CEO is must be a massive genius and way better than the founders.

The current CEO of MCD has done an excellent job. Consistently saying "but he didn't invent the Big Mac" is a pointless argument. The CEO's job is the create shareholder value in an extremely competitive market.

Tim Cook has created more value than any other CEO by keeping iPhone relevant, selling 3X as many iPhones as before, leading the industry in silicon, creating wearables, and creating a massive $50B service business.

Should he cancel the iPhone the day he takes over because he didn't invent it? Or should he do is best to improve, refine, and keep it relevant?

 

[curtvaughan]

What's really sad is none of the moan-n-whine peeps have the courage to switch. Much easier to whimper and stay angry/unhappy. It is entertaining though.
[doublepost=1557197084][/doublepost]
Not me... No way I'd ever go back to a thick-n-heavy laptop. My 2017 MBP is perfect, keyboard included. Tim Cook is doing an outstanding job, on many fronts. And one of the reasons I purchase Apple products.

Can't speak for other than myself, but I used to be all Apple for personal use, Windows and Unix for work. For me, that meant MBP, iMac, iPhone, and iPad were my personal computer/phone devices. Apple removes the phone jack from the iPhone, now I've switched to LG (though still retain my 6S+ with phone jack); MBP too thin, not enough ports, keyboard and overheating issues, too expensive - now I use PC laptops with Linux installed; iMac continues to have venting issues after two years, is difficult to open and clean, so eventually overheats, and has inflated pricing - so my current iMac may be my last in favor of a Linux desktop PC; latest iPads no longer have phone jacks and have bending "features" - will retain my 2017 iPad until it wears out, hopefully to be replaced by a competing tablet by that time. I have had the "courage" to switch, and in the areas where I've done that, I'm largely satisfied. I'm still unhappy that a company I used to rely upon for high QC and sound design in their products has moved into other realms.

My current laptops include a Dell XPS-13 for being thin enough, but not so thin as to cut out ports in favor of dongles; and a System76 Oryx Pro 15, with plentiful ports, great display, and high performance CPU/GPU configs. Both machines run Linux, as I'm now retired and don't have to do Windows. I doubt I'm alone in my shifts from Apple the last seven years. I remain interested in Apple primarily for nostalgic reasons, going back to my first experience with an Apple II, which was such a revolution in user friendliness compared to PDP-11s and the DOS PC's of the time I was used to. The nostalgic motivation for caring about Apple will eventually wear out if trends continue, after which I'll drift away from this forum. It has been a slow and painful separation, but the divorce seems imminent.

 

[realtuner]

You're missing the forest for the trees. Every Google search a user does sends the actual search string to Google. Add up all those searches, include IP address and basic browser submit data, and Google now has all the data they need.

You think Google is paying $9B/year to Apple out of the kindness of their heart?

I’m not missing anything. You, OTOH, are making assumptions about how things on iOS work and then trying to form an argument around those assumptions.

Google knows iOS users are the most valuable mobile users. It’s why they’re willing to pay to see the general habits of those users even without getting anything specific.

 

[111515]

"...if we can't make the best product, we don't go in"

*Except for smart speakers.

I don’t really think Apple has marketed the HomePod as a “smart speaker” but rather a speaker with high-quality sound and Siri capabilities.

 

[ronno]

Apple has had a pretty consistent message on privacy for at least a decade.

"No, Silicon Valley is not monolithic. We’ve always had a very different view of privacy than some of our colleagues in the Valley. We take privacy very seriously.

As an example, we worry a lot about location in phones. And, we worry that some 14 year-old is going to get stalked and something terrible is going to happen because of our phone.

And so, as an example, before any app can get location data, we don’t make it a rule that they have to put up a panel and ask [permission], because they might not follow that rule. They call our location services and we put up a panel. Saying, ‘this app wants to use your location data, is that okay with you?’ — every time they want to use it.

And, we do a lot of things like that, to ensure that people understand what these apps are doing. That’s one of the reasons why we have the curated App Store. We’ve rejected a lot of apps that want to take a lot of your personal data, and suck it up into the cloud. A lot.

So, we’re really old — a lot of people in the Valley think we’re really old-fashioned about this. And maybe we are. But we worry about stuff like this."
-Steve Jobs, D8 conference 2010
[doublepost=1557212109][/doublepost]

Never had a Google account and have never downloaded a Google app on my iOS devices. Don't really do web searching on my phone.

Leave in Europe where they don't sell your location or your usage pattern.

So then you are just dealing with Apple’s in-house ad program, a million cookies on your phone, Facebook? LinkedIn? YouTube? Maps? Games? Etc etc. There’s no getting away from it.

Also as to all the Google apps which you said you have not downloaded - all you have to do is Visit any of the millions of web sites using Google’s ad network; or use Google on the web services to be included included in their vast web ;-) Thees no way you have not at least used Google search or YouTube on that phone...
Cheers!

 

[curtvaughan]

Is anyone saying that Tim Cook is better than Steve Jobs in every area?
So Tim Cook doesn't have as much charisma as Steve Jobs on stage. Big deal. It just means that his keynotes are perhaps not as exciting to watch, but it still means I get my AirPods and apple watches at the end of the day.

I think your sentences above metaphorically capture the change from the Jobs era to Cook's dynasty with Apple. The CEO no longer has the driving charisma that once symbolized Apple's answer to Microsoft and other tech companies of the day, all that remains to "excite" are AirPods and Apple Watches. The famous "I'm a PC; I'm a Mac" advertisement series captured the Apple headed by a driven, charismatic Steve Jobs, whose competing CEO icon was Bill Gates. I've said it before, a bit in jest, but I really think Bill Gates coming out of retirement for a few years to replace Cook and run Apple would be a needed booster shot for the current company - almost hearkening back to when Jobs replaced Gil Amelio 22 years ago. Gates was one of the most successful, if not THE most successful tech CEO of his day and would easily match Cook's business sense; he was always tech savvy; and since his retirement from Microsoft has ventured into philanthropic investments and humanitarian projects, giving him a well rounded resume. As Jobs' (and Apple's) chief competitor (and sometimes emulator, much to Jobs' chagrin) from the start of both of their companies, he certainly has historical insight on Apple. It would never happen, as the current folks running Apple would be horrified, and Gates has really taken on new interests, and likely has a wider perspective on the global stage than he did in his Microsoft days.

 

[I7guy]

I think your sentences above metaphorically capture the change from the Jobs era to Cook's dynasty with Apple. The CEO no longer has the driving charisma that once symbolized Apple's answer to Microsoft and other tech companies of the day, all that remains to "excite" are AirPods and Apple Watches. The famous "I'm a PC; I'm a Mac" advertisement series captured the Apple headed by a driven, charismatic Steve Jobs, whose competing CEO icon was Bill Gates. I've said it before, a bit in jest, but I really think Bill Gates coming out of retirement for a few years to replace Cook and run Apple would be a needed booster shot for the current company - almost hearkening back to when Jobs replaced Gil Amelio 22 years ago. Gates was one of the most successful, if not THE most successful tech CEO of his day and would easily match Cook's business sense; he was always tech savvy; and since his retirement from Microsoft has ventured into philanthropic investments and humanitarian projects, giving him a well rounded resume. As Jobs' (and Apple's) chief competitor (and sometimes emulator, much to Jobs' chagrin) from the start of both of their companies, he certainly has historical insight on Apple. It would never happen, as the current folks running Apple would be horrified, and Gates has really taken on new interests, and likely has a wider perspective on the global stage than he did in his Microsoft days.

Exactly. Cook has now transformed Apple into the company the sells itself. Times have changed and the way Apple has to be presented has changed. Cook is charismatic in his own right, though, and people want to hear what he has to say.