Tim Cook attacks Facebook’s earnings model for lack of privacy
In a speech, Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, lashed out at the earnings model of companies such as Facebook. Users hardly have any privacy, which Cook says can lead to polarization and violence.
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Privacy users according to Tim Cook essential
Cook delivered his speech at a virtual conference on privacy and data protection. He said some apps and websites are doing everything they can to allow users to spend as much time on their platform as possible. The aim is mainly to collect data about these people. This way companies can serve them personalized advertisements. They generate a lot of money.
Spreading fake news and conspiracy theories is an effective way to chain users to their screens. Cook warns, however, that this revenue model is socially disruptive. After all, fake news can turn people against each other. Or in Cook’s words: “It is high time we stopped pretending that this tactic has no price. That price is polarization, lost trust and, yes, violence. ”
The speech can be seen below. Cook has the floor after four minutes.
Apple comes with tracker warning
Apple is releasing a tracker warning this spring. From that moment on, app developers must request permission from users to track their online activity. Facebook strongly opposes this. Earlier, the company even claimed that this new privacy feature in iOS 14 has disastrous consequences for advertisers.
Cook argues, however, that the advertising industry has survived for decades without privacy violations. The price of ads fed by users’ data is too high for his taste. Many companies would wonder how to get away with it, but not what the consequences are.
According to Tim Cook, privacy is essential for a peaceful society: “A social dilemma must not become a social disaster.” He was referring to the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma, which examines the practices of companies such as Facebook.
Apple has been emphasizing the importance of ethical technology for years. Cook reiterated that message in his speech: “We still believe that you can see the value of technology in the lives it improves.”
