Tim Cook Addresses Privacy, Government Requests in New NPR Interview

[MacRumors]

Just days after Apple updated and expanded its privacy site to explain how it handles personal information, CEO Tim Cook sat down with NPR's Robert Siegel to talk about how the Cupertino company protects user data and when and where it uses that information.

Image via NPR​

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Cook starts off by noting that Apple designs its products with privacy in mind after being asked about government data requests. Apple wants the user to control the data and who gets to see or use it.

However, we design our products in such a way that privacy is designed into the product. And security is designed in. And so if you think about it ... some of our most personal data is on the phone: our financial data, our health information, our conversations with our friends and family and co-workers. And so instead of us taking that data into Apple, we've kept data on the phone and it's encrypted by you. You control it.

The Apple CEO goes on to address his thoughts on a "back door" that allows government agencies access to user data in an effort to pursue national security. Cook notes that if you leave an open door for the good guys in your product, there's an opportunity for the bad guys to find and use the open door. He believes that everyone, including government agencies, are coming around to the idea that a "back door" is a nonstarter and that encryption "is a must in today's world."

When asked whether Apple's emphasis on privacy is a dig to competitors like Google or whether it would exist if Apple wasn't a hardware company, Cook maintains that Apple's views on privacy are born out of the company's values.

Our values are that we do think that people have a right to privacy. And that our customers are not our products. We don't collect a lot of your data and understand every detail about your life. That's just not the business that we are in.

Cook also talked about how Apple uses user data, noting that he believes its fine for the company to know your purchasing history in iTunes or the App Store to recommend music and apps to customers. However, Cook draws the line at sharing data between apps, saying that he doesn't believe the News app should know what music you buy, or whether the content of your emails should be used to sell a different product.

This marks the third major occurrence in which the Apple CEO has addressed the company's stance on user privacy this summer. Two weeks ago, Cook spoke about privacy concerns regarding the new "Hey Siri" feature in the iPhone 6s during a ride to Apple's flagship 5th Avenue location in Manhattan. In June, Cook spoke about the importance of encryption and privacy at the Champions of Freedom event in Washington.

The entire interview can be listened to at NPR's website.

Article Link: Tim Cook Addresses Privacy, Government Requests in New NPR Interview

 

[stiligFox]

As long as everything Tim Cook and Apple as a whole is saying is actually true, then I'm very happy with how privacy oriented they have become. I know we've heard this before from other companies, and it turned out that backdoors were there anyways, so I'll always remain skeptical. But to hear this is very nice.

 

[Moonlight]

He has to keep bringing this up because, for some reason, people STILL think Apple does the same shady stuff with your info that Google does.

 

[Data]

I just hope it's all true, and if it is that they keep going like this, i agree.

 

[brock2621]

Well said and good for them... I for one am incredibly proud to invest my money into a company that feels privacy is a fundamental right when using their products and services.

 

[FloatingBones]

He has to keep bringing this up because, for some reason, people STILL think Apple does the same shady stuff with your info that Google does.

Disagree. I think it's an extremely subtle issue. For example, I didn't realize that Google was loading the links returned on a search with tracker-wrappers so they could know which of those links you clicked on. Now, I've got my DirectLinks plugin on.

I think it will take years to understand the pervasiveness of Google/FB/etc. tracking. I think the term big brother tax is a good one to describe what these folks are doing: Big brother tax: you never really know when you are paying or how much you are paying.

 

[senrab]

Much more importantly, what's with the suit?

 

[Andres Cantu]

Apple is pretty much the only company that I can expect to protect my privacy. As for all the other companies, I don't expect my privacy to be protected even though they might say it is. I'd rather be doubtful than expect something I'm not 100% sure I'm getting.

That's why I would only use my debit and credit cards with Apple Pay and not its competitors.

 

[yadmonkey]

Apple makes money hand over fist without selling/sacrificing our data and that will remain a huge factor in my continuing patronage of their products. Trust matters.

 

[Chatter]

I know this will sound off topic but I'm amazed at how many people just don't care about their privacy. Of course I appreciate such moves by Apple but are we in the minority?

 

[zachlegomaniac]

The Apple CEO goes on to address his thoughts on a "back door" that allows government agencies access to user data in an effort to pursue national security. Cook notes that if you leave an open door for the good guys in your product, there's an opportunity for the bad guys to find and use the open door.

This is a statement I wish we could all agree on as a (human) race as it applies to a lot of distress in our world. It's a great point!

 

[JPLC]

Depending on technology today, can be a danger for tomorrow. Nice to know that my phone's data is safe. But everything else is a history we build for a future full of user data and who knows what law will come up to take advantage of it? Just be careful, thats my point.

 

[jayducharme]

He believes that everyone, including government agencies, are coming around to the idea that a "back door" is a nonstarter and that encryption "is a must in today's world."

This seems especially true given the large number of hacks on both private and government entities lately that were supposedly secure. The Experian one is the most recent, but it again demonstrates how very few agencies know how to completely secure their networks.

 

[Even Longer]

I feel, like Apple is the last bastion, where privacy is being protected by default and by a major company. Everyone else is whether silent about it or actively using your data in most shameless ways.

I tend to believe Apple on that one at least, - because there is nowhere to hide anymore, should that bastion fall someday.


-edited: cleaned up autocorrection mess a bit

 

[tkermit]

Much more importantly, what's with the suit?

Sharp-looking guy

 

[genovelle]

I know this will sound off topic but I'm amazed at how many people just don't care about their privacy. Of course I appreciate such moves by Apple but are we in the minority?

I'm amazed too, but they tend to be the same people who are ready for war if they think the government which they actually expect to protect them might be able to gain access to data.

 

[Fenez]

If the Government privately tells you....we need a back door to everything and keep your mouth shut...you will give them what they want. Anyone that thinks that they can't do that is kidding themselves...

 

[Jakexb]

Sharp-looking guy

Subtly advertising that gold finish.

 

[Frankied22]

I know this will sound off topic but I'm amazed at how many people just don't care about their privacy. Of course I appreciate such moves by Apple but are we in the minority?

I think we are definitely in the minority. People who are interested in the tech world are slowly starting to wake up and question the ramifications of giving all this data freely to large corporations, but the average person has no idea and does not care. They will gladly give up privacy and data for a free service or something that is convenient. It is why Google services are free and packed full of features. It's so average people will try them and go "Wow, this is a great service, and it's free!". They don't think beyond that. They don't wonder about why it's free or what Google could be doing with all that data, or even the fact that Google makes most of its revenue off selling ad space and harvesting user data to create profiles on everyone.

I wouldn't say I am an internet hermit by any means but over the past couple years I have begun to use less and less of services by Microsoft and Google. I also don't use FB. I don't trust any of those companies and I don't feel comfortable just willingly giving my data up to them. I don't care if they are doing odd things with that data or not. It's the principle of the thing. We can always sit back and go "well if you're not doing anything wrong then you shouldn't have anything to hide!", but that's the wrong way to look at this stuff. We should have privacy regardless of whether or not we have things we would like to hide. We need to value our privacy more and demand more from these companies.

As far as Apple is concerned, I like that they are very outspoken about privacy, but talk is cheap. I still don't trust them completely. I trust them more than I do Google, but that's mostly because I know that they are different business models. I am sure if Apple could make enough money off big data they would begin to start collecting user data. Proactive in iOS 9 is a good example of this. They are slowly starting to dip into a Google Now-esque world where they are trying to predict what you want. Right now it's using information from the phone locally, but in the future who knows, they could start using your data the same way Google does to make Google Now work.

 

[2457244]

I think they should go one step further.. Tim states, your most personal information stays on your phone, and is encrypted. True. But I like to see when I connect my iPhone to my Mac an Sync with iTunes. I want that checkbox to encrypt and include your health data checked by default.

I bet you right now people are syncing and backing up their iPhones with iTunes without knowing that you manually have to check that box before making a sync or backup. If not, your personal information will be lost when you want to restore a backup.

I hate it.. When iOS 9 got released I lost all my health data simply because I didn't know to check that extra check mark. For years the default Apple settings always did the job.

 

[jpn]

+++apple

visionary approach (for its time).

there is a reasonable expectation of some privacy (i hesitate to use the word "right")
and this is what apple is using as one of its primary points of difference between it and others (listening google?)

apple does a good job of differentiating between information that is strictly yours (your files, your photos, etc)
and the information that helps it to make better products (crash log data) and sell us more products (music Genius data)

the list goes on and on:
- finger print data (secure, totally separate, and mostly hardware based)
- your credit card and purchase authorization code information (secure element)
- two step verification (really bothersome sometimes but tolerable)
- encrypted mac hard drives (lose the code and you need to lose all your data. i like this)
- allowing you to keep your backups for iOS / iPhone on your computer local hard drive instead of over the air in the cloud

Think Different.

 

[Jakexb]

If the Government privately tells you....we need a back door to everything and keep your mouth shut...you will give them what they want. Anyone that thinks that they can't do that is kidding themselves...

Maybe so. But you wouldn't then go out of your way to tell people that you're not doing it -- over and over and over. Because eventually people are going to find out. There will be another Snowden or Manning or someone somewhere along the way that knows and tells.

It's one thing to keep your mouth shut. It's quite another to go out and claim multiple times that you're not providing back doors to government.

 

[MrGuder]

So should I stop using Google Chrome instead of Safari? I've been wanting to switch completely to Safari but I still use Google Chrome on my Mac Mini.

 

[tigres]

In other news on this site right now, a Major (1 of 3) credit provider doesn't give a **** about your personal information. Thanks from America, Experian....Your days are numbered, a revolt will come of this.

As far as Mr. Cook, - tip of the hat, I agree.

 

[Robert.Walter]

I don't think most people realize how fortunate they are that such a large company, with the prestige and resources to defend its position, has taken the his position.

Good on Apple. Good on Tim. Boo on those that don't share this business model (but good for Apple that such companies don't, as they are handing Apple competitive advantage on a gold platter.)

Ps at the rate 3rd parties are losing PII, I wonder what there will be for Apple to protect. /s