Tim Cook responds to Facebook criticism of changes to iOS app tracking transparency, says it’s ‘hard to argue’ against privacy

In a preview of an interview with The New York TimesKara Swisher, which will be published on Monday, April 5, said Apple CEO Tim Cook is “shocked” at the criticism Apple has received in recent months for upcoming privacy changes in iOS, claiming they are “hard to dispute. “. . “

tim cook data privacy day


Apple plans to enforce App Tracking Transparency (ATT) changes after the release of iOS 14.5, meaning all apps that can access an iPhone’s advertising ID, or IDFA, will need a user’s consent. ask before tracking is allowed.

The move has drawn criticism from some companies, notably Facebook, who say the new changes will hurt small businesses.

Facebook says small businesses rely on tracking to deliver personalized ads, and those ads with ATT will be less effective. However, when asked in the interview how ATT will affect Facebook, Cook said he is “not focused on Facebook” and he doesn’t know.

Swisher asked, “What is your response to Facebook’s response – which is quite fierce – that you essentially call an existential crisis in their business?” Cook replied, “All we do, Kara, is give the user the choice of whether or not to be tracked. And I think it’s hard to argue with that. I’m – I’m shocked that it has been pushed back. on this to this extent. “

Facebook initially went all out against ATT; however, the company has recently shifted its tone. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg now claims it is possible the new change could benefit Facebook by giving it the upper hand in the online trading space.

In fact, we may be in a stronger position if Apple’s changes encourage more companies to do more business on our platforms by making it more difficult for them to use their data to find the customers who purchase their products outside of our company. would like to use. platforms.

Cook’s latest comments are just an excerpt from the full interview published Monday, in which the CEO discusses Parler’s removal from the App Store, the power of Big Tech, and what it’s like to be called “Tim Apple.”

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