Apple CEO Tim Cook Talks Russian Election Interference, Fake News and Tax Reform in Nightly News Interview

[MacRumors]

Apple CEO Tim Cook sat down with NBC's Lester Holt on tonight's NBC Nightly News broadcast, where he spoke about Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, the need for tax reform in the United States, and more.

As was shared in a clip of the interview earlier today, Cook commented on Russia's use of social media to interfere with the 2016 election and the congressional hearings executives from Facebook, Twitter, and Google have been attending to discuss the role Russia might have played. Cook said he believes the social networks in question have been learning "along the way a lot" and that fake news is a major issue.

I think they learned along the way a lot. And you know, it's best to ask them if they should have projected it or not. I don't believe that the big issue are ads from foreign government. I believe that's like .1 percent of the issue.

The bigger issue is that some of these tools are used to divide people, to manipulate people, to get fake news to people in broad numbers, and so, to influence their thinking. And this, to me, is the No. 1 through 10 issue.

Cook went on to say that we'll likely learn a lot more in the hearings in regard to the particulars of what went on, and he said companies have a responsibility to make sure technology is "good." "I do think that technology itself doesn't want to be good," he said. "It doesn't want to be anything. It's up to the creator of the technology and the user of the technology to make it good."

Cook also spoke on tax reform. Corporate tax rates, he says, "should have been fixed years ago." "Let's get it done now," he added.

I believe that tax reform is sorely needed in this country. We don't focus on the individual side, but for corporations, we think we have a pretty deep perspective on this. The biggest issue with corporations in this country is that if you earn money outside of the United States, which most companies increasingly will, the only way that you can bring it into the US and invest is if you pay 40 percent. And this is kind of a crazy thing to do. So what do people do? They don't bring it to the United States.

During the interview, which took place on Apple's campus, Cook showed Holt an iPhone X and explained Face ID features and security, topics Apple has covered multiple times in past executive interviews and through a detailed Face ID support document.

WATCH: Apple CEO Tim Cook goes one-on-one with @LesterHoltNBC. https://t.co/T30BsPJYjr https://t.co/zrkTVMA7dM - NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) November 1, 2017

All Face ID data is stored on device, not on Apple's servers, Cook reiterated. "We don't have it intentionally because it's yours," he said. As he has done many times in the past, Cook also highlighted Apple's focus on privacy and said that if he had to re-do the legal controversy with the FBI over San Bernardino, he'd "make the same decision today."

On the topic of selling user data, Cook said that's not something Apple does.

It's something that we don't do because you are not our product. We take a very pro-privacy view. Apple doesn't know what the content of your messages are. We encrypt FaceTime end-to-end. We don't know what you're saying. And we think that's the way people would expect.

A final topic of discussion covered the evolution of the iPhone over the course of the last 10 years and whether it's reached where Steve Jobs had envisioned it would go.

"You know, we knew from the launch it was going to change the world. But frankly, it's gone far beyond what we would have dreamed," Cook said.

NBC Nightly News hasn't yet shared the full video of Cook's interview, but it should be available soon on the NBC website and will include his full commentary on a range of issues.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Article Link: Apple CEO Tim Cook Talks Russian Election Interference, Fake News and Tax Reform in Nightly News Interview

 

[chriscrk]

Tim Cook is great, and using their platform for good is really important. A company is made up of people and affects millions worldwide (in Apple's case), so I don't know why it surprises people that their CEO does more than just focus on products. It's important they stick up for their values and help improve things.

Tim Cook will be remembered for that! Very admirable man.

 

[iapplelove]

That iPhone X looks so modern and fresh.

 

[deanthedev]

“All Face ID data is stored on device, not on Apple's servers, Cook reiterated.”

It amazes me Apple still has to keep repeating this. Or that people still think Apple is sending your fingerprints or face to their servers.

 

[budselectjr]

“All Face ID data is stored on device, not on Apple's servers, Cook reiterated.”

It amazes me Apple still has to keep repeating this. Or that people still think Apple is sending your fingerprints or face to their servers.

Al Frankin still might need help understanding.

 

[TheBuffather]

“All Face ID data is stored on device, not on Apple's servers, Cook reiterated.”

It amazes me Apple still has to keep repeating this. Or that people still think Apple is sending your fingerprints or face to their servers.

Well, when you learn about a little thing called Operation Northwoods, you question everything. Including where the government has their hands and who they control.

 

[AZ63]

“All Face ID data is stored on device, not on Apple's servers, Cook reiterated.”

It amazes me Apple still has to keep repeating this. Or that people still think Apple is sending your fingerprints or face to their servers.

I believe Apple continues to push this point because they believe it differentiates them from other companies. "Buy Apple products, because we protect you, the others don't."

 

[jiggad369]

I believe Apple continues to push this point because they believe it differentiates them from other companies. "Buy Apple products, because we protect you, the others don't."

Is it not true though?

 

[HardRain]

iPhone changed the world = Delusions of grandeur.

That product placement..

 

[Ghost31]

“All Face ID data is stored on device, not on Apple's servers, Cook reiterated.”

It amazes me Apple still has to keep repeating this. Or that people still think Apple is sending your fingerprints or face to their servers.

Just watch. Someone will pick apart the wording to somehow make it seem like he used a verbal loophole and that they actually ARE taking your data. “But he didn’t say we aren’t taking 90% of your data. Therefore he lies!”
[doublepost=1509585844][/doublepost]

iPhone changed the world = Delusions of grandeur.

That product placement..

“Look how not impressed i am with impressive stuff. I’m so hard to please so you should respect that about me!”

 

[KPOM]

He is right about the corporate tax rate. Hopefully the GOP doesn’t screw this up.

 

[pavelbure]

I was waiting for one of them to fall off of one of those uncomfortable looking stools.

 

[Gooberton]

Stick to phones and stay out of politics baby killer

 

[Wanted797]

Tim Cook is great, and using their platform for good is really important. A company is made up by people and affects millions of people (in Apple's case), so I don't know why it surprises people that their CEO does more than just focus on products. It's important they stick up for their values and help improve things.

Tim Cook will be remembered for that! Very admirable man.

Too true.

I love Apple for their product but mainly their privacy and standing up for mine.

I work in sales and technology and you can flog products all day, no one will care.

When you talk about everything else in life and how your products fit within that do you truely make a connection with your customer. Apple gets this and every other company tries and usually fails.

 

[rjohnstone]

He is right about the corporate tax rate. Hopefully the GOP doesn’t screw this up.

It's not the GOP you have to worry about.
The Dems are playing to their base by demonizing any corporate tax cuts.

 

[unobtainium]

Just watch. Someone will pick apart the wording to somehow make it seem like he used a verbal loophole and that they actually ARE taking your data. “But he didn’t say we aren’t taking 90% of your data. Therefore he lies!”
[doublepost=1509585844][/doublepost]
“Look how not impressed i am with impressive stuff. I’m so hard to please so you should respect that about me!”

He actually did quickly say "...that we know of!" which was a funny little caveat. I'm not paranoid and couldn't care less if Apple has my face stored on their servers, but I can see why many people would wonder about it.

 

[HoosBruce]

iPhone changed the world = Delusions of grandeur.

That product placement..

Well...it kinda did. Sooo....maybe you’re the one with “delusions of grandeur.”

 

[JM]

“All Face ID data is stored on device, not on Apple's servers, Cook reiterated.”

It amazes me Apple still has to keep repeating this. Or that people still think Apple is sending your fingerprints or face to their servers.

People have Facebook and Google shoved down their throats. Of course Cooky had to reiterate this.
[doublepost=1509588312][/doublepost]

iPhone changed the world = Delusions of grandeur.

That product placement..

It kind of did.... we have millions of people with sloped necks checking out Facebook and Instagram Likes on the bus... kids playing with iPads at restaurants while their parents talk to others...

On a positive note: FaceTime is pretty awesome. V-I-D-E-O CALLS. That was ultra-rich people stuff 20 years ago, and now it's so prevalent it's an afterthought.

 

[calzon65]

He should stop running his mouth about Russian Election Interference, Fake News, and Tax Reform. What he needs to do is get his butt back into his office and focus on issues that directly effect Apple customers like the software problems that were just uncovered from Security Researchers that used Wi-Fi and Safari Exploits to Breach iPhone 7 at the Annual Mobile Pwn2Own Contest.

 

[JosephAW]

Wow, not only is he a great CEO and good at creating dongle dependent devices but he's a political Russian expert.
Hey Mr. Cook, You better watch that Pwn2Own video and get your priorities straight. Thank you.

 

[BaltimoreMediaBlog]

It's important that he's using this platform to get what Apple wants, not necessarily what you want.

And also NBC via MSNBC is the biggest purveyor of FAKE NEWS out there, followed closely by CNN.
Some of their TV hosts actually think the President will be impeached like in just a month!
They say it on the air every day like there's a chance it will happen like tomorrow, but it won't anytime soon if EVER!

 

[roland.g]

You aren’t S.J. and you haven’t been as good at innovating for the most part for some time. But you’ve mananged to have some BS keynotes that overly fluff how great your stuff is when it really has lacked. Chats like this might have an agenda, but in truth it just helps detract from the sobering truth.

Under Jobs Apple’s profit margin was due to the products’ success and innovation.

Under Cook Apples profit margin is due to pricing in spite of innovation.
[doublepost=1509588925][/doublepost]

People have Facebook and Google shoved down their throats. Of course Cooky had to reiterate this.
[doublepost=1509588312][/doublepost]
It kind of did.... we have millions of people with sloped necks checking out Facebook and Instagram Likes on the bus... kids playing with iPads at restaurants while their parents talk to others...

On a positive note: FaceTime is pretty awesome. V-I-D-E-O CALLS. That was ultra-rich people stuff 20 years ago, and now it's so prevalent it's an afterthought.

Yes but FaceTime is a Steve Jobs era feature. Cook can’t take any credit for that.

 

[citysnaps]

He should stop running his mouth about Russian Election Interference, Fake News, and Tax Reform. What he needs to do is get his butt back into his office and focus on issues that directly effect Apple customers like the software problems that were just uncovered from Security Researchers that used Wi-Fi and Safari Exploits to Breach iPhone 7 at the Annual Mobile Pwn2Own Contest.

No he shouldn't. NBC News asked Cook for an interview at Apple HQ and he answered questions posed by Lester Holt.

You are probably not aware that it is common for CEOs, especially those in charge of some of the largest companies in the world to grant interviews to news organizations.

No worries, including setup it probably took less than 30 minutes. Apple has Dan Riccio, Craig Federighi, and others to deal with the technical issues.

 

[gugy]

Tim Cook is great, and using their platform for good is really important. A company is made up by people and affects millions of people (in Apple's case), so I don't know why it surprises people that their CEO does more than just focus on products. It's important they stick up for their values and help improve things.

Tim Cook will be remembered for that! Very admirable man.

In the end is a waste of time arguing. People will criticize Tim when he is doing well or not. The guy can't never win. If Steve was alive and running Apple would be the same way.

Overall IMO Tim is a very good CEO. Apple is doing well. He is not a visionary like Steve but not many people out there in the tech world is. Still he is managing Apple well and the company is healthy moving forward. He should be getting a lot of praise.

 

[thadoggfather]

My oh my

Tim you are filthy rich, get your bottom teeth fixed up.

Incredibly jarring. He looks unwell in general, and/or stressed tf out. Blodshot eyes.

The FaceID privacy pitch also sounds identical to the TouchID pitch. Not not assuring, but not overly assuring either. Nothing new to speak of with that but enclave and encryption and on your phone.

He always says the same things. I wish he elaborated on fake news beyond name dropping fake news and division cause this is the new part of his pitch which I think I know where he's going with it but. Oh well

--

Having said all this, FRIDAY WHERE ARE YOU?

my 7 plus shattered, so I need X now more than ever.