Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook was among those present at President Barack Obama’s meeting of minds at Palo Alto, and his words couldn’t have rung truer amid numerous reports of security breaches and acts of cyber-terrorism.
At the President’s cybersecurity summit Friday, Cook said memorably that all consumers have “a right to privacy and security,” and also added that the U.S. government and business enterprises should work closely to ensure consumers’ privacy and security is protected. “When it comes to the rights of customers and the rights of citizens, it’s important to realize we’re all talking about the same people,” said the Apple CEO. “We owe them nothing less but the best protections that we can possibly provide by harnessing the technology at our disposal and working together…We must get this right.”
Cook also made some brief references to his decision last year to come out as a gay man, saying that the past has shown us that “sacrificing a right to privacy” could have unpleasant consequences in the end. He added that consumers still have to deal with a world where discrimination based on personal data remains rife.
“If those of us in positions of responsibility fail to do everything in our power to protect the right of privacy, we risk something far more valuable than money,” Cook said, emphasizing the importance of technology to this end. “We risk our way of life. Fortunately, technology gives us the tools to avoid these risks. And it is my sincere hope that by using them and by working together, we will.”
Apple has been quite aggressive in promoting consumer privacy and security, and it’s not surprising why – the company’s monetization is primarily centered on the sales of hardware such as the iPhone and iPad, as well as its many services. Even companies such as Facebook, Google, and Yahoo, who chose not to field any representatives to the summit, have also been ramping up their efforts to protect consumers from privacy or security breaches, although the first two companies make use of targeted ads to earn.