Apple Shares Tim Cook's Recent Speech on Apple's Commitment to Privacy

Apple CEO Tim Cook last week spoke at the virtual Computers, Privacy, and Data Protection conference, where he highlighted Apple's commitment to user privacy and condemned the data-hungry business models of companies like Facebook.

Apple today shared Cook's full 12-minute speech on its YouTube channel for those who missed the initial release.

On January 28, 2021, Apple CEO Tim Cook delivered remarks at Computers, Privacy & Data Protection Conference: Enforcing Rights in a Changing World. The virtual conference -- hosted annually in Brussels, Belgium -- is one of the foremost international privacy and technology conferences bringing together leaders from academia, government, civil society and the private sector. Learn more about the features and controls Apple provides users to safeguard their privacy at http://www.apple.com/privacy​.

Cook's speech didn't mention Facebook by name, but his comments on disinformation and conspiracy theories being "juiced by algorithms" were clearly directed at the company.

"At a moment of rampant disinformation and conspiracy theories juiced by algorithms, we can no longer turn a blind eye to a theory of technology that says all engagement is good engagement -- the longer the better -- and all with the goal of collecting as much data as possible. It is long past time to stop pretending that this approach doesn't come with a cost -- of polarization, of lost trust and, yes, of violence."

Cook also used his speech to highlight new Apple privacy initiatives including App Store privacy labels and the App Tracking Transparency rules that will be enforced following the launch of iOS 14.5. Our original article also has a full transcript of Cook's comments for those who would prefer to read what he said rather than watch the video.

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Top Rated Comments

Apple_Robert Avatar
57 months ago

Apple would NOT be the company it is today without third party apps !
I agree.

I also don't think Apple would be the company it is today, without its stance on privacy and security.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
brijazz Avatar
57 months ago
Your privacy is a product now - and Apple wants to sell you the best privacy on the market.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
57 months ago

Your privacy is a product now - and Apple wants to sell you the best privacy on the market.
As long as they continue to put privacy and security first with their products, I will continue buying.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
57 months ago

Privacy comes first no matter what! Apple knows it! Tim cook is very good about this. Facebook has no clue what they are doing.
Facebook knows exactly what they are doing. That is why they are so evil.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
4jasontv Avatar
57 months ago
Third party apps would NOT exist without customer trust !
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
steve09090 Avatar
57 months ago

Apple would NOT be the company it is today without third party apps !
I'm happy with third party apps, but I should know if they are going to to sell or pass on my information. Transparency is the key. If they refuse to allow us to see what they are doing with our information, they should not be allowed in the app store.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)