Apple CEO Tim Cook has issued a staunch denial following a report claiming the company had requested Facebook users’ data in a partnership between the two tech giants.
Over the weekend, the New York Times reported the accord had afforded Apple, Samsung (and 60 other device makers) access to personal information like relationship status, political stances and religious beliefs.
Given Cook’s stance on user privacy – in light of this year’s Facebook Cambridge Analytica scandal – such data gathering tactics would be highly embarrassing for Apple, if accurate.
However, the Apple chief flat-out denied the company had ever received such data as part of its accord with Facebook.
Related: WWDC 2018
“The things mentioned in the Times article about relationship statuses and all these kinds of stuff, this is so foreign to us, and not data that we have ever received at all or requested — zero,” Cook told NPR during the company’s WWDC 2018 on Monday.
“What we did was we integrated the ability to share in the operating system, make it simple to share a photo and that sort of thing. So it’s a convenience for the user. We weren’t in the data business. We’ve never been in the data business,” he added.
Misuse of the system
The comments came as Apple announced the new iOS 12 operating system with leanings towards limiting screen time and promoting digital health among users.
“We have never been about maximizing the number of times you pick [the device] up, the number of hours that you use it,” he added.
“All of these things are great conveniences of life. They change your daily life in a great way. But if you’re getting bombarded by notifications all day long, that’s probably a use of the system that might not be so good anymore.”
Elsewhere, the company also revealed macOS 10.14 Mojave, which goes further in its efforts to shut down advertisers tracking users across the web.
Do you trust Apple with your data more than the likes of Facebook? Drop us a line @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
