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Tim Cook makes blistering attack on the “data industrial complex”

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Re: Tim Cook makes blistering attack on the “data industrial complex”

#22
post #20

Is that the same type of moral speech as he did when he said "Privacy is fundamental human right" and then gave keys to iCloud to Chinese government some time later? He's a CEO of a multi-billion publicly traded corporation. Content warning applies for everything he (or any such CEO/PR service) says.

Apple's stance has been completely consistent. They comply with the law while making their ethical beliefs and stance as a company clear where they disagree with it.

What do you suggest Apple should do instead of comply with the law? Require it's employees to incriminate themselves?

Re: Tim Cook makes blistering attack on the “data industrial complex”

#23
It's sad how the introduction of a new class of devices "smartphones" brought along with it a surveillance software platform in the form of Android. Where it is clear that the only incentive for google to develop it is exfiltration of as much personal data as they can. In contrast in the case of Apple you have a customer relationship with the company that sold you the device and they have an incentive to keep you as a customer without having a need to extract as much advertisement revenue as they can.

Re: Tim Cook makes blistering attack on the “data industrial complex”

#24

Personal information is extremely valuable. I don't understand why people are opposed to collecting and making use of it. Not doing so would be inefficient and foolish. While I believe that those who collect such data would make the world a better place if they freely distributed it, I don't think they should be forced to. I'm sure that whatever hypothetical problem that could result from such collection of data coul…

I don't believe that people are generally against the collection and use of personal information, per se. To me, the problem lies in a couple key areas, which coincide pretty well with Cook's statement:

1) No opt-out. Some companies and institutions are decent about this, but the overwhelming majority of companies who are collecting information about me I've never heard of and couldn't name. I'm not asked if tracking, etc. is okay, OR am presented with some dense glacier of legalese when my only interest is to read some article.

2) No transparency. Who has what information about me and how are they using it? I haven't the foggiest clue, if I'm being honest about it, and I'm a relatively technologically sophisticated and aware user.

3) No deletes. Even when a company offers to "delete your data", how can this be verified complete? It is difficult for me to trust a company or institution's word on this having so insidiously collected the data in the first place. Now, before you take issue with "insidiously", consider the information asymmetry present when an average person (non-lawyer/engineer superstar hybrid) signs up for FB or Gmail. There is definitely a sense in which it is clear that you aren't getting something for nothing, but at 16 that didn't occur to me, and now the damage is done.

4) What, precisely, is this data going to be used for? Creepy ads are one thing, and have been pervasive enough long enough that I think many folks see they as normal now. I don't like the advertising economy, and take steps to shield myself and my family from it to the degree that is possible within our inconvenience tolerances, but the scary thing about this data goes beyond shitty frothing-mouth marketing efforts. When the advertisers are done with it (hah!) it is still there, waiting to be exploited in a political, judicial, or military effort of some kind. Google "Sesame Credit" for info on China's bone-chilling weaponization of social media. And yes, I know, China isn't a beacon of human rights, that isn't the point. I suspect that if China can do this out in the open, there are closed doors in DC behind which a more subtle, similar effort is at least an on-again/off-again discussion.

So no, I can't agree with you that "whatever hypothetical problem that could result from such collection of data could be solved more efficiently in a different way". I work at a 2nd tier retailer whose "Customer 360 Experience" is a surveillance program a lesser nation state would be envious of (I was very surprised to learn how much collection efforts have evolved for in brick and mortar stores). Once the data is collected, it's damned near impossible to "uncollect". Genies don't like to go back into their bottles.

Re: Tim Cook makes blistering attack on the “data industrial complex”

#25
post #22
post #20

Is that the same type of moral speech as he did when he said "Privacy is fundamental human right" and then gave keys to iCloud to Chinese government some time later? He's a CEO of a multi-billion publicly traded corporation. Content warning applies for everything he (or any such CEO/PR service) says.

Apple's stance has been completely consistent. They comply with the law while making their ethical beliefs and stance as a company clear where they disagree with it. What do you suggest Apple should do instead of comply with the law? Require it's employees to incriminate themselves?

Is this really true though?

Has Tim Cook ever criticized the Chinese government or does he only ever speak on these issues when it comes to the US?

Re: Tim Cook makes blistering attack on the “data industrial complex”

#26

First response: This sounds good, maybe I should consider Apple for my next device? Second response: Was undermining Google the reason he held the speech in the first place?

Also my first response, 'is this just marketing?'.

'Buy apple products, we care about your data. We will help protect it. Encrypt it. Not share it. And block others form trying to get your data'

But are Apple as benevolent as they say? Do you trust such a gigantic corporation? Are they colluding with governments instead of just advertisers?

Re: Tim Cook makes blistering attack on the “data industrial complex”

#27
post #13

Apple blew it's lead with Siri and is now trying to hamstring it's competition from passing it by with features that aren't animated emotions or only allowing certified Apple parts in repairs.

If they court customers with privacy over a voice assistant, consider me wooed.

Re: Tim Cook makes blistering attack on the “data industrial complex”

#28
post #22
post #20

Is that the same type of moral speech as he did when he said "Privacy is fundamental human right" and then gave keys to iCloud to Chinese government some time later? He's a CEO of a multi-billion publicly traded corporation. Content warning applies for everything he (or any such CEO/PR service) says.

Apple's stance has been completely consistent. They comply with the law while making their ethical beliefs and stance as a company clear where they disagree with it. What do you suggest Apple should do instead of comply with the law? Require it's employees to incriminate themselves?

What do you suggest Apple should do instead of comply with the law? Require it's employees to incriminate themselves?

I'm not the GP but I've seen this exact form of complaint many times. I think the usual response is "stop doing business in China." I don't know how that's supposed to work, though, since Chinese companies make all of Apple's hardware.

Re: Tim Cook makes blistering attack on the “data industrial complex”

#29
post #22
post #20

Is that the same type of moral speech as he did when he said "Privacy is fundamental human right" and then gave keys to iCloud to Chinese government some time later? He's a CEO of a multi-billion publicly traded corporation. Content warning applies for everything he (or any such CEO/PR service) says.

Apple's stance has been completely consistent. They comply with the law while making their ethical beliefs and stance as a company clear where they disagree with it. What do you suggest Apple should do instead of comply with the law? Require it's employees to incriminate themselves?

Or not deal with countries that don't match their ethical beliefs. You know, actually taking a stand instead of empty words.

Re: Tim Cook makes blistering attack on the “data industrial complex”

#30
post #15

Personal information is extremely valuable. I don't understand why people are opposed to collecting and making use of it. Not doing so would be inefficient and foolish. While I believe that those who collect such data would make the world a better place if they freely distributed it, I don't think they should be forced to. I'm sure that whatever hypothetical problem that could result from such collection of data coul…

True, so can I get paid when I sell my information?

You can get paid in the form of a free OS for your smartphone? Or free use of a video streaming platform?
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