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Apple CEO Tim Cook on iOS 13's Sign In with Apple: 'We're Not Really Taking a Shot at Anybody'

Monday June 3, 2019 8:32 pm PDT by Juli Clover

Following today's WWDC keynote event that saw the debut of new software for iOS, macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS, Apple CEO Tim Cook spoke with CBS Evening News and shared a few quick thoughts on one of the new features, Sign In with Apple.

Sign In with Apple is designed to let you sign into apps using your Apple ID for authentication purposes, offering up a privacy-focused alternative to signing in with accounts from sites like Facebook, Google, or Twitter.

Cook was asked whether Apple was taking a shot at the way Facebook and Google collect user data with the new feature, but Cook said that wasn't the case. Apple, he says, focuses on the user, and the company believes people want to be able to use the web without being under surveillance.

You know, we're not really taking a shot at anybody. We're - we focus on the user. And the user wants the ability to go across numerous properties on the web without being under surveillance. We're moving privacy protections forward. And I actually think it's a very reasonable request for people to make.

When asked whether Facebook cares about privacy and security, Cook says that "everybody's beginning to care more" thanks to increased awareness of what's been happening.

Many people are getting more offended. I think this is good. Because we need to shine a light on it. You can imagine an environment where everyone begins to think there's no privacy. And if there's no privacy, your freedom of expression just plummets. Because now you're going to be thinking about how everybody's going know every single thing you're doing. This is not good for our country, not good for democracy.

New App Store guidelines provided to developers today suggest Sign In with Apple is going to be a mandatory feature in all apps that offer third-party sign-in options.

If an app lets you log in using Facebook, Google, or Twitter, the app will also need to present users with the Sign In with Apple option too.

Sign In with Apple authenticates a user with Face ID or Touch ID, and keeps personal information safe from app and website developers. It's designed to let Apple users create a new account in an app using a one-click button without leaking user data.

Sign In with Apple also lets Apple users create a randomly-generated email address that hides your own email address when you're signing up for an app or service.

The new Sign In with Apple feature will be available starting later this year.

Tag: Sign in with Apple Guide

Top Rated Comments

(View all)

az431

7 months ago

Remember, Apple sells a targeted advertising service for 30% commission

They want advertisers to know they have to pay the Apple Tax to advertise to Apple customers, the same as app developers need to pay to be on the app store

I read your post several times to see if you could find even a glimmer of a connection between Apple sign in and the fee that developers pay to sell apps through the App Store.

Came up empty.

Rating: 61 Votes

hlevolve

7 months ago

I can’t wait for this feature out of all the awesome announcements today this is actually one of the top ones for me. I love that I don’t have to pass out my true email any longer for sites that use this. I hope it expands all over and I’ll be using it.

Rating: 43 Votes

baculum

7 months ago

I totally agree. I'm sick and tired of being expected to use Facebook or Google to sign into anything. I've deleted my accounts with companies for whom I'M the product. I hope this gains some traction...

Rating: 33 Votes

BootsWalking

7 months ago

When asked whether Facebook cares about privacy and security, Cook says that "everybody's beginning to care more" thanks to increased awareness of what's been happening.

Facebook cares as much about privacy as I care about Facebook. They continually abused the trust of their users and so have lost the privilege for anyone to trust their universal logon credential service. Good riddance.

Rating: 25 Votes

az431

7 months ago

As a developer, I don’t like this new rule that I “have” to use Apple’s solution with other third party login option of my choice. I guess I should just only have my app available on other competing app stores...oh, wait. There isn’t one.

I’m a developer and I support it 100%. We abandoned third party sign in long ago.
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If I read about this new apple solution correctly, it’s required as an addition if you list sign in with google or Facebook. I don’t think it is the only option.

Correct.

Rating: 24 Votes

noraa

7 months ago

Funny that I log into apple with my gmail ID..

You realize you're not actually logging in via Gmail, yes? Your Apple ID just happens to be your gmail e-mail address, but that's about as closely linked as your Apple ID is to your Gmail e-mail...

Rating: 18 Votes

abhibeckert

7 months ago

Apple's entire strategy is based on closing off its customers inside its prison/"walled garden" and only allowing contact with the external world on their terms

Do you have any evidence at all that this is the case?

They developed a mobile OS that doesn't allow any code to run if not authorised by Apple, and now even call this a "computer replacement"

I run code on my iOS devices without being authorised by Apple. Sure, if I want to deploy a binary without sharing the source code I have to get approval. But that's mostly a quick check to make sure I'm not shipping malware.

They include NFC chips in phones but only for using Apple Pay, no other services allowed

There is an NFC API for pretty much arbitrary NFC use that has been in place since iOS 11.

There was a delay of about 9 months between the initial hardware and releasing a public API, but honestly for those months there weren't that many users with the hardware anyway. They might not even have been shipping to all countries by that point.

As a developer I like their slow roll out strategy for drivers and new hardware. Several months of "in the wold" deployment gives them a chance to find and fix any serious bugs before locking down a public API that shouldn't ever be changed.

They include bluetooth chips in HomePods but only to connect to an Apple device to set up, no use for streaming audio from non-Apple devices allowed

HomePods use AirPlay. There are literally hundreds of third party devices that also support AirPlay - including any Android phone by simply installing an app.

AirPlay is better than Bluetooth. Why would anybody use bluetooth if they can use AirPlay?

Now they're targeting the internet itself with Safari and now apps putting an extra layer between the user and 3rd parties. It's true this means 3rd parties can't collect data as easily, but Apple reserves the right to collect data themselves and use their unique position to sell advertising products to 3rd parties

What? No, that isn't what Apple is doing at all. You need to go back and read up on it again. Feel free to ask if anything doesn't make sense.

Rating: 17 Votes

Khedron

7 months ago

I read your post several times to see if you could find even a glimmer of a connection between Apple sign in and the fee that developers pay to sell apps through the App Store.

Came up empty.

Apple's entire strategy is based on closing off its customers inside its prison/"walled garden" and only allowing contact with the external world on their terms

They developed a mobile OS that doesn't allow any code to run if not authorised by Apple, and now even call this a "computer replacement"

They include NFC chips in phones but only for using Apple Pay, no other services allowed

They include bluetooth chips in HomePods but only to connect to an Apple device to set up, no use for streaming audio from non-Apple devices allowed

Now they're targeting the internet itself with Safari and now apps putting an extra layer between the user and 3rd parties. It's true this means 3rd parties can't collect data as easily, but Apple reserves the right to collect data themselves and use their unique position to sell advertising products to 3rd parties

Rating: 14 Votes

Abazigal

7 months ago

To lock people more deeply into Apple so that it's more difficult to leave.

I have no intention of leaving the Apple ecosystem. This is precisely why I embraced the Apple ecosystem in its entirety, so that Apple can help me fight the battles that no other company would.

Rating: 13 Votes

ZZ Bottom

7 months ago

Understand where you’re coming from, but how many developers would bother to take the time to implement if it were optional?

This wouldn’t exactly be at the top of any developers list... especially if they’re developing for both platforms.

Rating: 12 Votes

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