Tim Cook Says Apple is 'Not Against Digital Advertising' Ahead of iOS 14.5 Launch With App Tracking Transparency

[siddavis]

You can believe in "privacy is a fundamental human life" and "any business should obey the law" at the same time. When these two beliefs collide, "obey the law" wins.

So, fundamental is only fundamental when you fundamentally believe that something is actually fundamental.

 

[hans1972]

Then it's not actually a "fundamental human right". Unless the Chinese are somehow subhuman.

Of course it could be.

We believe privacy is a fundamental human right
+Chinese people don't have good privacy
=Chinese lacks a fundamental human right but are stille fully human

You can still believe in a right and recognise that billions of people don't have that right.

 

[dk001]

Now if Apple took the time and effort to verify the privacy labels on the apps ...
Nice stance by Apple but I am taking it with a "grain" or two of salt at this stage.

Besides, it will be likely a long while before we see actual "transparency". Till then we get glimpses.

 

[UrbanJoe1]

yeah. yeah. Well, gvt and crony capitalists are always pushing to exploit and remove our rights. For God’s sake that’s what the American Revolution was about and today the power brokers are doing everything they can to evicerate the Constitution while extracting as much profit as possible in the process.

 

[cipher29]

The only reason Apple is taking this stance is because I guarantee they are going to look at getting into the advertising market in a much bigger way in the comings years. Apple doesn't do anything that doesn't align to a strong business decision - don't blindly believe Apple is just being the good guy here. Apple are absolute masters at crafting their market segments - this is laying the foundation for them.

 

[filmantopia]

The only reason Apple is taking this stance is because I guarantee they are going to look at getting into the advertising market in a much bigger way in the comings years. Apple doesn't do anything that doesn't align to a strong business decision - don't blindly believe Apple is just being the good guy here. Apple are absolute masters at crafting their market segments - this is laying the foundation for them.

Doing the right thing for the sake of it *is* often good business, because it builds brand loyalty. Doesn't necessarily mean they have a competitive product in the works. Apple doesn't *have* to spend a lot of time and money on their green, health, accessibility initiatives. But we're lucky that they structured their business in such a way that they stand to benefit from doing what is genuinely good. It does take some guts to do, because it's a bet on the idea that people will appreciate what they're doing. Most companies aren't willing to risk that.

 

[albert421]

yea, app can still track, you are just going to have to tell your user about it

 

[filmantopia]

So, fundamental is only fundamental when you fundamentally believe that something is actually fundamental.

All rights must be granted by order of power. We must believe they are fundamental in order to procure and protect them.

 

[hans1972]

It is not a binary between obey or disobey laws. There is a whole spectrum of options between those two extremes - for example, maybe a press release criticizing the laws they obey??..

American companies issuing press releases for every law they have to follow in every country they operate. That would go well.

Imagine what would happen in France...

 

[dk001]

Doing the right thing for the sake of it *is* often good business, because it builds brand loyalty. Doesn't necessarily mean they have a competitive product in the works. Apple doesn't *have* to spend a lot of time and money on their green, health, accessibility initiatives. But we're lucky that they structured their business in such a way that they stand to benefit from doing what is genuinely good. It does take some guts to do, because it's a bet on the idea that people will appreciate what they're doing. Most companies aren't willing to risk that.

I would point out that Apple's current business design is migrating more toward Services than Hardware. This may either be a prop up to mitigate hardware or towards a future service. Time will tell.

 

[mtneer]

American companies issuing press releases for every law they have to follow in every country they operate. That would go well.

Imagine what would happen in France...

I agree, it will get messy. Then they ought to keep a profile appropriate to that craven stance. Not launch grandiose statements affirming non-existent commitments to "fundamental rights" etc.

 

[filmantopia]

I would point out that Apple's current business design is migrating more toward Services than Hardware. This may either be a prop up to mitigate hardware or towards a future service. Time will tell.

I don't see the relevance of hardware vs. services to the topic.

I also don't agree with your first statement. They're going to be making cars and AR headsets, as well as continuing with iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple watches and accessories. They are getting into more services over time, but there's no sign they're letting up on hardware.

 

[hans1972]

So, fundamental is only fundamental when you fundamentally believe that something is actually fundamental.

In this context "fundamental" means something like of central or primary importance.

The word doesn't imply that everyone has it or that other principles or beliefs shouldn't win in some circumstances.

 

[filmantopia]

In this context "fundamental" means something like of central or primary importance.

The word doesn't imply that everyone has it or that other principles or beliefs shouldn't win in some circumstances.

Yeah, a "right" is something that *ought* to be guaranteed. Not something that necessarily is by virtue of being alive. This is understood. We wouldn't have to fight for rights if they were things we all had no matter what.

 

[subi257]

I am not disagreeing with that, but I also understand that Apple is an American business that does not have pull over laws in foreign countries.

Very true and there are many American companies that are doing global business and could be bankrupted if they were to be told that they should not do business with whatever country in the bad guy du jour. Right now the largest export buyer of Jeeps and Harley Davidson motorcycles is China. Jeep might be bankrupted...but they are not an American company Fully owned by Fiat/Stellantis. Still headquartered in US though. Harley, on the other hand could go under if they were to no longer sell to China....that are not as popular as they used to be here and the customer base is aging out. I am sure that there are many more companies like that.

 

[subi257]

And what good does that do? Then Chinese consumers have less choice, and the choices they do have are all Chinese companies that are completely infiltrated by the state. Whatever modicum of control/privacy they have with Apple is better than nothing.

True, and American companies lose business.revenue.....cutting off you nose to spite your face?

 

[jonnyb098]

iOS 14.5 due to be released in 2025

 

[dk001]

I don't see the relevance of hardware vs. services to the topic.

I also don't agree with your first statement. They're going to be making cars and AR headsets, as well as continuing with iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple watches and accessories. They are getting into more services over time, but there's no sign they're letting up on hardware.

You may be right however look beyond the hardware glitz. Look at the app store, tv, subscriptions, and other venues. Services are now the number two most profitable line for Apple right behind the iPhone.

 

[Td1970]

I wouldn't expect Apple to have much pull when it comes to country specific laws. I am assuming you feel Apple should pull all business from China?

Apple talks the talk but doesn’t always walk the walk. Especially in China.

 

[JosephAW]

Now if we can just get Adsense pay us for the real ad impressions and click thrus.

 

[Rafagon]

Except in China.

It isn't Apple's responsibility to fix China.

 

[Lemon Olive]

"We're just against advertising being effective, relevant, or useful to anyone."

 

[I7guy]

Maybe you would allow them to get away with those words - that's fine. 'I' don't think the public should allow them to anoint themselves with words like "fundamental" and "worldwide privacy" when all they are doing is just being another corporate player talking their book. There is no fundamental stance there, just whatever makes them more $$.

World at large? You mean issues like human rights and freedom? You need to check your math on that one.

Apple doesn’t pretend to be a “do as I say and not as I do company”. False equivalencies don’t help.

There can be app transparency, taking care of business, and caring about the world at large, while obeying local laws. This is not binary or mutual exclusive and at least apple puts its’ money where it’s mouth is.

 

[DNichter]

Apple talks the talk but doesn’t always walk the walk. Especially in China.

I wouldn't expect anything differently. They are a business, not some sort of moral guide for the world.

 

[EdT]

Oh Golly.....

Apple Transfers Chinese Users' iCloud Data to State-Run Servers in China

Today marks the official transfer of Apple's Chinese iCloud services from a hosting location in the United States to servers owned and operated...

www.macrumors.com

Your linked article was from 2018. Since that time Apple has been moving production and jobs out of China to India and Vietnam. I’m not going to pretend that Apple didn’t turn an intentional blind eye to what is still going on in China but I also don’t expect any country or business to cut off their nose to spite their face. Lots of companies world wide are doing business with China despite officially condemning their civil rights, religious, and minority suppression, including many European car manufacturers and Tesla. If it’s the same in a year then Apple can’t claim ignorance or that they haven’t had time. Neither can any other company.