Apple CEO Tim Cook: Privacy is 'One of the Top Issues of the Century'

[zakarhino]

Apple's policies vis-a-vis China are created to comply with China's laws. it's not a concern that it might "hurt[] their business," which clearly it wouldn't.

Not sure what you're saying here other than agreeing with my point: Apple puts their business in China over their commitments to privacy. If they were dead set on ensuring Apple customers have the maximum amount of (reasonable) privacy possible, they would invent technology that is impossible to backdoor or intercept -- which would mean no business in China.

 

[zakarhino]

That is true. Do not use iCloud backups and you don't have to worry about that aspect.

As an Apple customer I want the convenience of cloud backups combined with the higher level of security enabled by a local iTunes backup; therefore I'm making that request. It's not hard to do and I cannot think of a reason they wouldn't do it outside of that story from a few years ago regarding pressure from the FBI.

 

[InGen]

I'm going to make a somewhat controversial post here. Let me start by saying it was a beautiful speech by Cook and Apple is blessed to have him at the helm and I hope he stays in that position for years to come. However, can I get some help in determining if Cook is experiencing trembling during this 12minute speech to CPDP or whether it is a result of the low-resolution pixelation creating that affect?

If you focus around the movement of Tim's hand movements and especially his thumbs during the video, it seems as if he is constantly changing posture and at any point that his hands are still and separated for a few seconds there is an apparent tremble visible. I take it a man of his position wouldn't get nervous to give these kind of speeches especially given how passionate he is on the topic. What's odd to me is that I couldn't find any higher resolution versions of this video when apple are known for their high quality video, even when it is an excerpt from a live stream they often release a version recorded with a higher-res camera for release purposes.

So my question to those more knowledgable and able to observe this video clearer than I can, is Tim Cook visibly trembling throughout this particular speech or is it a vestige of the low-res stream? Would trembling if it was the case to be so, suggest that Tim may be in poor health or could this be a case of nervousness of giving such a speech to a broad audience? With all due respect to Apple and Tim, thank you.

 

[reyesmac]

If they were letting people opt out of being tracked and traced entirely and being allowed to be anonymous online that would be one thing. But I think they are just trying to figure out ways their customers will accept incredible amounts of identification. They do not want anonymity, they want to know exactly who it is that is using the computer at any given time. Yes they will protect your data from the eyes of those around you but they will also have positive ID on anyone they have to report to the authorities. Having nothing to hide is not the problem, that is the goal with this people. The real problem is not being able to use the internet without incredible amounts of tracking, tracing, and cataloging of your actions.

 

[zakarhino]

I'm going to make a somewhat controversial post here. Let me start by saying it was a beautiful speech by Cook and Apple is blessed to have him at the helm and I hope he stays in that position for years to come. However, can I get some help in determining if Cook is experiencing trembling during this 12minute speech to CPDP or whether it is a result of the low-resolution pixelation creating that affect?

View attachment 1721112

If you focus around the movement of Tim's hand movements and especially his thumbs during the video, it seems as if he is constantly changing posture and at any point that his hands are still and separated for a few seconds there is an apparent tremble visible. I take it a man of his position wouldn't get nervous to give these kind of speeches especially given how passionate he is on the topic. What's odd to me is that I couldn't find any higher resolution versions of this video when apple are known for their high quality video, even when it is an excerpt from a live stream they often release a version recorded with a higher-res camera for release purposes.

So my question to those more knowledgable and able to observe this video clearer than I can, is Tim Cook visibly trembling throughout this particular speech or is it a vestige of the low-res stream? Would trembling if it was the case to be so, suggest that Tim may be in poor health or could this be a case of nervousness of giving such a speech to a broad audience? With all due respect to Apple and Tim, thank you.

It could simply be an essential tremor, I know many people with them and it often bugs them how often people mistake an uncontrollable shake with nervousness or some health issue.

 

[cbr1976]

There is no constitutional “right” regarding “censoring” by big tech.

Might want to brush up on what the first amendment says and means.

Nothing in there about big tech.

What about when the big tech becomes the ubiquitous means for exercising that right? How about now?

 

[zakarhino]

If they were letting people opt out of being tracked and traced entirely and being allowed to be anonymous online that would be one thing. But I think they are just trying to figure out ways their customers will accept incredible amounts of identification. They do not want anonymity, they want to know exactly who it is that is using the computer at any given time. Yes they will protect your data from the eyes of those around you but they will also have positive ID on anyone they have to report to the authorities. Having nothing to hide is not the problem, that is the goal with this people. The real problem is not being able to use the internet without incredible amounts of tracking, tracing, and cataloging of your actions.

You've made a crucial point right there, pseudo-anonymity is essential and must be seriously considered in the conversation surrounding privacy rights.

 

[cbr1976]

Apple is preventing you from speaking?

Some. And they have the ABILITY. That is troubling.

 

[citysnaps]

What about when the big tech becomes the ubiquitous means for exercising that right? How about now?

Still no.

 

[swingerofbirch]

I think of atrocities that have happened in the first 20 years of this century, and digital privacy is not close to being one of the top issues.

 

[zakarhino]

I think of atrocities that have happened in the first 20 years of this century, and digital privacy is not close to being one of the top issues.

Most of the atrocities that have happened in the last 20 years can mostly be attributed to capitalism and American imperialism. Neither of those cancers will be stopped without the ability for people to organize and have open conversations about the subject; access to technology and the rights to use that technology freely are essential to that cause. If you don't believe me, take a look at any significant revolution or policy-shifting protest of the last 20 years, almost all of them have been enabled or enhanced through technology.

 

[I7guy]

As is the right to not be censored per the whims of Big Tech.

Good you pointed out the censorship <> privacy. I think that's a point lost on many, however, off-topic it is to the discussion.

 

[zakarhino]

Good you pointed out the censorship <> privacy. I think that's a point lost on many, however, off-topic it is to the discussion.

They're deeply intertwined though. E.g, you cannot censor what you don't know exists in an encrypted chat room.

 

[I7guy]

As is the right to not be censored per the whims of Big Tech.

Good you pointed out the censorship <> privacy. I think that's a point lost on many, however, off-topic it is to the discussion.

Not sure what you're saying here other than agreeing with my point: Apple puts their business in China over their commitments to privacy. If they were dead set on ensuring Apple customers have the maximum amount of (reasonable) privacy possible, they would invent technology that is impossible to backdoor or intercept -- which would mean no business in China.

So because you wrote this in a post on MR, Apple should just leave the China market? I don't believe that is the way it works; nothing is black and white without some shades of grey.

 

[I7guy]

They're deeply intertwined though. E.g, you cannot censor what you don't know exists in an encrypted chat room.

That's security. Privacy in this context is the stewardship of your PII as I am interpreting this.

 

[zakarhino]

So because you wrote this in a post on MR, Apple should just leave China? I don't believe that is the way it works.

Huh? Sorry I don't follow what you're saying. I'm simply stating my opinion in regards to Apple's commitment to privacy, nowhere did I say that they should leave China because I wrote a post on MacRumors... that would be absurd LOL

 

[I7guy]

Some. And they have the ABILITY. That is troubling.

Is MacRumors preventing you from speaking also? They have the ability also.

 

[ericwn]

As is the right to not be censored per the whims of Big Tech.

As is the right to pick whose products you have in your shop. Now maybe back to the topic of the article?

 

[Professor Rucy]

Apple is preventing you from speaking?

Yes. And so is Amazon.

 

[Professor Rucy]

There is no constitutional “right” regarding “censoring” by big tech.

Might want to brush up on what the first amendment says and means.

Where is the "right" to privacy in that amendment? You know, the first one that you speak of so expertly?

 

[George Dawes]

My brother was arguing with me last night over his iPhone spying on him and giving him adverts that followed his internet browsing .

He blamed apple and was ranting away . I then asked what app he used the most .

Facebook.

That shut him up 😆

 

[bb9]

I continue to appreciate Apple’s focus on privacy but... they are way over the line in censoring opinions they don’t agree with. For those of us old enough to remember, the Macintosh was the reason 1984 was not going to be like 1984. Now, Apple is full on in support of creating Orwell’s 1984... A complete anathema to the founding of Apple. Tim is no Steve...

Please elaborate.

 

[Gouki]

Why Tim looks so serious, that's cute😀

 

[xxray]

I agree Tim, now put your money where your mouth is and encrypt iCloud backups; invest in building a new iCloud infrastructure that implements a zero trust encryption scheme for email, files, etc.

This. I just downgraded my iCloud plan, moved my backups + photo library to local storage only, and used Cryptomator for end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for what files I have left in iCloud.

I just no longer feel comfortable having all of that data in iCloud without E2EE anymore. I’ve had enough of Facebook’s BS too, so I deleted my account today. I’ve had it disabled for a while now (have been afraid to get rid of it completely in case I needed for something), but I want Facebook to hurt for how immoral it is, and I don’t want them to have any more of my data either.

I’ve already made quite a few privacy switches over the years, but I guess my unplanned 2021 New Years resolution is to go all out with switching to privacy-focused software and services.

 

[IllinoisCorn]

Okay. Make me a VPN. Add it to Apple One (or whatever it is called).

Charge me a little more, even.