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> Apple doesn't do it for the good of mankind Apple is generally showing a superior attitude towards user privacy, even in situations that don't seem directly

> Apple doesn't do it for the good of mankind Apple is generally showing a superior attitude towards user privacy, even in situations that don't seem directly tied to their own ad channels, as you say. Maintaining a privacy-focused image is good for business in general, hence their reluctance to cooperate with law enforcement to violate individual user privacy.

dhimes 8y ago
tannhaeuser's point is worth considering though: Is Apple truly respecting privacy, or are they just refusing to share because they want to own all of the info? Are they not storing private information- like websites you visit and apps you download and such, and using it to target you in their store?
- ubermonkey 8y ago
  Apple's incredible success thus far selling higher-end computing devices hasn't required them to engage in "big data" tactics. The fact that there's now popular pushback against the data-gatherers is certainly to their favor, and they'd be foolish not to trade on the fact that "Hey, you know what? We collect very little, and have no interest in monetizing you as a user, because that's never been our business model." I think Apple does benefit from some solidly ethical leadership here, but it's also probably wise -- I can see lots more data-protection laws coming down the pike in the years ahead, and they'll endanger the big-data approach. If I were Apple, I'd probably stay away from it for those reasons alone.
- djrogers 8y ago
  > Are they not storing private information- like websites you visit and apps you download and such, and using it to target you in their store? No? They aren’t doing that, at least not the website tracking stuff - that would be a huge violation of their privacy policy.
parthdesai 8y ago
>Apple is generally showing a superior attitude towards user privacy Only where it benefits them. In China, they have gladly given up encryption keys so that govt. can access user's data.
- macintux 8y ago
  I sincerely doubt it’s “gladly” and Apple has to follow the law or bow out of the market. In the U.S. the law favors their users’ privacy to some degree. Not in China.
  - kodablah 8y ago
    Right. One would expect the company with the "superior attitude towards user privacy" would choose the option not to give them the keys up. This isn't about which country's government favors privacy, the earlier post claimed a company had a superior attitude which is not completely true even when trying to make excuses for them.
    - macintux 8y ago
      If Apple leaves China, beside blowing a massive hole in their growth strategy, how is users’ privacy enhanced?
      - kodablah 8y ago
        Privacy is a trust game. When for one country you'll make a very public stance against usurping encryption but for another you will do it and remain mum, your principles are called into question. User privacy depends on consistent application of principles and is harmed by setting the precedent that you willingly break it in inconsistent ways without even being vocally against it.
  - parthdesai 8y ago
    Apple alway get a bit leeway on HN. Apple is talking the talk about privacy where it's favourable to them. Is it actually walking the walk when it actually hurts them? That's when you know if a company if serious about privacy or it's just another marketing strategy.

dhimes 8y ago

tannhaeuser's point is worth considering though: Is Apple truly respecting privacy, or are they just refusing to share because they want to own all of the info? Are they not storing private information- like websites you visit and apps you download and such, and using it to target you in their store?

ubermonkey 8y ago
Apple's incredible success thus far selling higher-end computing devices hasn't required them to engage in "big data" tactics. The fact that there's now popular pushback against the data-gatherers is certainly to their favor, and they'd be foolish not to trade on the fact that "Hey, you know what? We collect very little, and have no interest in monetizing you as a user, because that's never been our business model." I think Apple does benefit from some solidly ethical leadership here, but it's also probably wise -- I can see lots more data-protection laws coming down the pike in the years ahead, and they'll endanger the big-data approach. If I were Apple, I'd probably stay away from it for those reasons alone.
djrogers 8y ago
> Are they not storing private information- like websites you visit and apps you download and such, and using it to target you in their store? No? They aren’t doing that, at least not the website tracking stuff - that would be a huge violation of their privacy policy.

parthdesai 8y ago

>Apple is generally showing a superior attitude towards user privacy Only where it benefits them. In China, they have gladly given up encryption keys so that govt. can access user's data.

macintux 8y ago
I sincerely doubt it’s “gladly” and Apple has to follow the law or bow out of the market. In the U.S. the law favors their users’ privacy to some degree. Not in China.
- kodablah 8y ago
  Right. One would expect the company with the "superior attitude towards user privacy" would choose the option not to give them the keys up. This isn't about which country's government favors privacy, the earlier post claimed a company had a superior attitude which is not completely true even when trying to make excuses for them.
  - macintux 8y ago
    If Apple leaves China, beside blowing a massive hole in their growth strategy, how is users’ privacy enhanced?
    - kodablah 8y ago
      Privacy is a trust game. When for one country you'll make a very public stance against usurping encryption but for another you will do it and remain mum, your principles are called into question. User privacy depends on consistent application of principles and is harmed by setting the precedent that you willingly break it in inconsistent ways without even being vocally against it.
- parthdesai 8y ago
  Apple alway get a bit leeway on HN. Apple is talking the talk about privacy where it's favourable to them. Is it actually walking the walk when it actually hurts them? That's when you know if a company if serious about privacy or it's just another marketing strategy.