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Apple CEO Tim Cook on data privacy: "What kind of world do we want to live in?"

The head honcho of the world's largest company weighed in on privacy at this year's International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners.

Asif Khan

October 24, 2018 10:30 AM

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Earlier today in Brussels, Apple CEO Tim Cook spoke at this year's International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners. Please take a look at his full keynote address.

He took to Twitter to share his thoughts on data privacy. 

It was an honor to be invited to #ICDPPC2018 in Brussels this morning. I’d like to share a bit of what I said to this gathering of privacy regulators from around the world. It all boils down to a fundamental question: What kind of world do we want to live in?

— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) October 24, 2018

Here are everyone of Tim Cook's tweets from the thread mashed together in more readable format:

It was an honor to be invited to #ICDPPC2018 in Brussels this morning. I’d like to share a bit of what I said to this gathering of privacy regulators from around the world. It all boils down to a fundamental question: What kind of world do we want to live in? GDPR has shown us all that good policy and political will can come together to protect the rights of everyone. We believe that privacy is a fundamental human right. No matter what country you live in, that right should be protected in keeping with four essential principles:

First, companies should challenge themselves to de-identify customer data or not collect that data in the first place.

Second, users should always know what data is being collected from them and what it’s being collected for. This is the only way to empower users to decide what collection is legitimate and what isn’t. Anything less is a sham.

Third, companies should recognize that data belongs to users and we should make it easy for people to get a copy of their personal data, as well as correct and delete it.

And fourth, everyone has a right to the security of their data. Security is at the heart of all data privacy and privacy rights.

Technology is capable of doing great things. But it doesn’t want to do great things. It doesn’t want anything. That part takes all of us. We are optimistic about technology’s awesome potential for good — but we know that it won’t happen on its own.

Cook during his keynote address at ICDPPC 2018 stated that he would be open to U.S. federal regulation of data privacy, saying that data collection is being "weaponized against us with military efficiency." "We shouldn't sugarcoat the consequences. This is surveillance. And these stockpiles of personal data serve only to enrich the companies that collect them," Cook said. "This should make us very uncomfortable. It should unsettle us." Cook's vision for data privacy in the tech sector is not that crazy. 

Apple's CEO laid out four very clear bullet points regarding users' right to privacy. "We at Apple are in full support of a comprehensive federal privacy law in the United States. There and everywhere, it should be rooted in four essential rights: First, the right to have personal data minimized. Companies should challenge themselves to de-identify customer data — or not to collect it in the first place. Second, the right to knowledge. Users should always know what data is being collected and what it is being collected for. This is the only way to empower users to decide what collection is legitimate and what isn't. Anything less is a sham. Third, the right to access. Companies should recognize that data belongs to users, and we should all make it easy for users to get a copy of, correct and delete their personal data. And fourth, the right to security. Security is foundational to trust and all other privacy rights."

Apple has been a leader on the data privacy front for years, and while they are the largest tech behemoth in the world, it is great to see the company hold onto their values and respect their customers. What say you, Shackers? Do you enjoy spoonfeeding Facebook and Google all of your private information so they can profit off of you with advertising and selling your data? Would you like to see U.S. regulators tackle this issue? Let us know in the comments section.

Asif Khan

CEO/EIC/EIEIO

Asif Khan is the CEO, EIC, and majority shareholder of Shacknews. He began his career in video game journalism as a freelancer in 2001 for Tendobox.com. Asif is a CPA and was formerly an investment adviser representative. After much success in his own personal investments, he retired from his day job in financial services and is currently focused on new private investments. His favorite PC game of all time is Duke Nukem 3D, and he is an unapologetic fan of most things Nintendo. Asif first frequented the Shack when it was sCary's Shugashack to find all things Quake. When he is not immersed in investments or gaming he is a purveyor of fine electronic music. Asif also has an irrational love of Cleveland sports.