Tim Cook Calls for US Privacy Law to Protect Citizens From Growing 'Data Industrial Complex'

[e-coli]

Hilarious. Yeah good luck Tim. We can’t even get clean air or power despite evidence that coal results in thousands of premature deaths. Nor can we get common sense gun reform despite nearly one mass killing a day. But sure why not propose it? The Trump administration will put it at the top of their list, I’m sure.

 

[DNichter]

Please stop with the "violation of user privacy". You're the only one to make the claim. You're the only one arguing that point. When Apple removed VPN's from the App Store, they definitely facilitated China's suppression of user privacy.


Why would you assume that I would expect something so dumb and unrealistic? Wouldn't a smarter assumption be that I would expect Cook to be more cognizant of the juxtaposition of his words regarding privacy and his actions in China that don't jibe with those words?

I am not sure what you are getting at here. The article and discussion is about protecting users' privacy. Then China is brought into the conversation. I am still not seeing how adhering to China law is suppressing user privacy. I was asking for clarification on how the two were tied together. As of now, you haven't answered that, maybe leave it to the OP to comment on?

 

[djlythium]

I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again, and I won’t stop until they stop:

THANK YOU, APPLE, FOR MAKING PRIVACY A STRICT PRIORITY!

 

[jona2125]

Did you notice he says “minimize” data collection and not prevent or delete personal data.
Minimize : just enough data for us to make a great profit...

Also has anyone tried the download your data feature on Apples privacy site? I feel like they have a lot more data about you than they are giving you...

They definitely do and this is why I never understand the expectation of privacy when dealing with a consumer service. I would love to see some regulations on this for sure but for now what you identify yourself with is hardly a secret internally. I've visited Apple buildings several times for work and they very much do operate on a parallel reality: what they know and what they want you to believe.

 

[69Mustang]

I am not sure what you are getting at here. The article the discussion is about protecting users' privacy. Then China is brought into the conversation. I am still not seeing how adhering to China law is suppressing user privacy. I was asking for clarification on how the two were tied together. As of now, you haven't answered that, maybe leave it to the OP to comment on?

It's pretty simple. The article is about protecting users privacy and Apple's advocacy of said protections. China was brought into the conversation to highlight that Apple doesn't apply that advocacy across the board. Actions such as removing VPN's from the App Store actively suppress user privacy. It's not that hard to understand. Apple in China shows that Apple is willing to compromise that privacy stance when business could be affected.

 

[Kaibelf]

Did you notice he says “minimize” data collection and not prevent or delete personal data.
Minimize : just enough data for us to make a great profit...

Also has anyone tried the download your data feature on Apples privacy site? I feel like they have a lot more data about you than they are giving you...

So basically you want things like traffic data to be impossible, and you also want to accuse them of some data conspiracy with no indication as to why you would feel that way aside from paranoia?

 

[marco114]

Until Apple encrypts data on their servers so even law enforcement can't get to it, then I'll believe them.

 

[dilbert99]

Good, I agree. Our privacy needs to be protected. Obviously a great business move by Apple that protects the interests of consumers as well. I’m not sure how this will all play out for companies like Google and Facebook, but they have to be scrambling to rethink their business models for a sustainable future.

Consumers should always have the ability to make their own choices and any data recording transparent.
But like you say Apple has a vested interest in selling hardware, so hard to listen to Tim as non biased and without hidden agenda.

 

[omihek]

It's pretty simple. The article is about protecting users privacy and Apple's advocacy of said protections. China was brought into the conversation to highlight that Apple doesn't apply that advocacy across the board. Actions such as removing VPN's from the App Store actively suppress user privacy. It's not that hard to understand. Apple in China shows that Apple is willing to compromise that privacy stance when business could be affected.

At the end of the day, Apple is simply following the law in China. I hear they also follow the law in other countries where they do business. Who would've known? Apple has been clear on their stance with privacy. Doesn't mean China has to have the same view, and it's not Apple's fault if they don't.

 

[digitalexplr]

Please stop with the "violation of user privacy". You're the only one to make the claim. You're the only one arguing that point. When Apple removed VPN's from the App Store, they definitely facilitated China's suppression of user privacy.

There are several VPN's available from the Apps Store.

 

[69Mustang]

At the end of the day, Apple is simply following the law in China. I hear they also follow the law in other countries where they do business. Who would've known? Apple has been clear on their stance with privacy. Doesn't mean China has to have the same view, and it's not Apple's fault if they don't.

You clearly didn't understand the post. There's no assignment of fault. It's simply a recognition that Apple's privacy stance does not supersede their profit stance. The irony can't be missed.
[doublepost=1540388648][/doublepost]

There are several VPN's available from the Apps Store.

Are you referring to the Chinese App Store?

 

[RogerWilco]

Data Industrial Complex — OK, it’s a catchy phrase, but IMO not very accurate. Why not call it for what it is — the Surveillance State? The elites around the world admire what China's government has accomplished, and many secretly want to emulate these capabilities in their own domains. Cook's hypocrisy is on full display as he condemns these developments in a general sense while turning a blind eye to the Chinese data collection juggernaut.

 

[omihek]

You clearly didn't understand the post. There's no assignment of fault. It's simply a recognition that Apple's privacy stance does not supersede their profit stance. The irony can't be missed.

I have a different opinion than you, so I clearly don't understand what's going on. Got it.

You're the only one talking about profit here. There are two things at play, privacy and China law. They contradict one another. That is not Apple's fault. There is no irony. Apple is following a law that they don't like. It happens every day. Hopefully one day the law will change, but that is not up to Apple to decide.

 

[MistrSynistr]

Is Timmy trolling here? He works directly with the Communist Chinese. lol.
[doublepost=1540389264][/doublepost]

Hilarious. Yeah good luck Tim. We can’t even get clean air or power despite evidence that coal results in thousands of premature deaths. Nor can we get common sense gun reform despite nearly one mass killing a day. But sure why not propose it? The Trump administration will put it at the top of their list, I’m sure.

There is only one thing the Trump Administration will do this day and forward: Win.

And continue to make you cry.

ALL good things.

 

[69Mustang]

I have a different opinion than you, so I clearly don't understand what's going on. Got it.

I didn't say you don't understand what's going on. I said you didn't understand my post. Your subsequent answer backs that claim.

You're the only one talking about profit here. There are two things at play, privacy and China law. They contradict one another. That is not Apple's fault. There is no irony. Apple is following a law that they don't like. It happens every day. Hopefully one day the law will change, but that is not up to Apple to decide.

Again, no one is saying Apple is at fault for anything. I'm not sure where you're getting that idea. What I am saying is they (Cook) should stop moralizing about privacy when they obviously will set privacy aside when it conflicts with business. China having certain laws is not an excuse. Apple knows the laws. Apple wants to do business in China. To do business in China, some privacy considerations have to be set aside.

 

[cipher29]

At the end of the day, Apple is simply following the law in China. I hear they also follow the law in other countries where they do business. Who would've known? Apple has been clear on their stance with privacy. Doesn't mean China has to have the same view, and it's not Apple's fault if they don't.

if Apple truly believed privacy is a "human right", they would refuse to do align to China's laws and NOT do business in China. The premise of Tim's talk was that companies were putting profit ahead of privacy, which is exactly what Apple is doing in China.

While I can't say who I work for, I work for a company that refuses to do business in China.

I fully expect Apple to follow the laws of a country. If the laws of said country further impact people's human rights, that company should stand their ground and not do business in said country.

 

[inhalexhale1]

That's a pretty disingenuous characterization of what @magicschoolbus stated. I'm pretty sure you know exactly what he meant as well, because you asked your question in a very leading way. No one said Apple was violating it's users privacy. For you to imply it is pretty bad form imo. Cook loves to tout privacy as a fundamental right (I agree with him), yet actively facilitates China's policies of governmental control over privacy rights of Chinese citizens.

I'm on record for being a fan of Cook as a CEO. I'm also on record for not being a fan of his moralizing that happens to have a hard ceiling of "does this affect revenue?" I genuinely think he means what he says. He believes in personal privacy. I also believe he's willing to compromise those beliefs when it comes to acquiescing to China.

Tim Cook is an American citizen and runs an American company. If he wants to advocate for stricter protections and laws to protect privacy for US citizens, there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, it's a great thing. If he wants the company to be competitive in China, there is nothing wrong with that. They have different rules. It's childish and naive to expect suspension of sales every time he disagrees with government on a world, national, state, or local level.

I think user choice should still be considered.

Exactly right. Easy to criticize, and then go to your Facebook page, search with google, click on TOS without reading what they do with your data, etc.

 

[nvmls]

Amazing the level of idiocy in the world today, people buy PR speeches instead of reasoning from reality.

 

[ipponrg]

Tim Cook is an American citizen and runs an American company. If he wants to advocate for stricter protections and laws to protect privacy for US citizens, there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, it's a great thing. If he wants the company to be competitive in China, there is nothing wrong with that. They have different rules. It's childish and naive to expect suspension of sales every time he disagrees with government on a world, national, state, or local level.

This makes Apple sound hypocritical which is fine if you're cool with that.

 

[AmazingRobie]

Your privacy is as its always been, your responsibility to protect...not a corporations...and definitely not Timothy Crook's version of Apple. If an individual doesn't take precautions to manage their own right to privacy, they do not deserve to have any. Period. The same as it has always been.

Is it my imagination or is the Trump nationwide text, the Bloomberg China hack story and Timothy Crooks paranoia speechs all happening within a relatively short period of time...

It sounds like theyre trying to rile up the herd.

 

[Stella]

Not that I don't agree with him but I must say it's easy for him to say these things when Apple sells hardware and not ads.

Remember: Apple tried the Ad business... and largely failed.

There absolutely should be more protection of privacy... but Cook is purely self serving.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

Meanwhile accepts #3 Billion every year to have Google, the biggest data miner in the world, as default search engine on all iOS Devices.

It’s not like there won’t be a huge user outcry if the default search isn’t google. People can still change the default search engine.

 

[69Mustang]

It's childish and naive to expect suspension of sales every time he disagrees with government on a world, national, state, or local level.

DNichther made this same silly statement in reference to my quote. I'll just recycle my reply to him since it's an equally apropos response to you.
Why would you assume that I would expect something so dumb and unrealistic? Wouldn't a smarter assumption be that I would expect Cook to be more cognizant of the juxtaposition of his words regarding privacy and his actions in China that don't jibe with those words?

 

[justperry]

Your privacy is as its always been, your responsibility to protect...not a corporations...and definitely not Timothy Crook's version of Apple. If an individual doesn't take precautions to manage their own right to privacy, they do not deserve to have any. Period. The same as it has always been.

Is it my imagination or is the Trump nationwide text, the Bloomberg China hack story and Timothy Crooks paranoia speechs all happening within a relatively short period of time...

It sounds like theyre trying to rile up the herd.

WTF
So, if a girl walks on the street in a mini skirt she asks to get raped.

That's soooo.... wrong.

 

[Naraxus]

Like others here have said Timmy only talks tough when it suits him but folds like a cheap suit when it comes to China & Saudi Arabia..