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Tim Cook talks NSA, customer privacy, and more in NPR interview

Continuing his string of interviews and appearances, Apple CEO Tim Cook today appeared on NPR’s All Things Considered show and was interviewed by Robert Siegel. Cook and Siegel talked about a variety of topics in the interview, including Apple News, customer privacy, and more.

First off, the two discussed Apple’s goal to maintain the privacy of its customers at all costs. Cook has always been a huge proponent of user rights and his tone did not change in this interview. Cook explained that Apple will do whatever it takes to maintain the privacy of its users:

We do think that people want us to help them keep their lives private. We see that privacy is a fundamental human right that people have. We are going to do everything that we can to help maintain that trust.

Regarding the NSA, Cook noted how he believes everyone, including the government is beginning to realize that encryption of data is a must.

I don’t think you will hear the [National Security Agency] asking for a back door. … There have been different conversations with the FBI, I think, over time. … But my own view is everyone’s coming around to some core tenants. And those core tenants are that encryption is a must in today’s world.

Next up, Cook and Siegel touched on Apple News. Apple News is the company’s latest attempt at providing users with a clean and intuitive way to digest news on the topics they love. Regarding News, Cook noted that he doesn’t think user data should be shared from one app to another:

If you’re in our News app, and you’re reading something, we don’t think that in the News app that we should know what you did with us on the Music app — not to trade information from app to app to app to app

Earlier this week, Cook was interviewed at the Box BoxWorks conference and discussed Apple’s interest in the enterprise market, as well as as its partnership with Microsoft, Apple’s new iPhone Upgrade Program, and more. Last month, Cook appeared on Late Show with Stephen Colbert and touched on his personal life, the possibility of an Apple Car, Steve Jobs, and more.

You can listen to Cook’s interview from today with NPR via the embed below:

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Comments

  1. chrisloehr - 9 years ago

    The quote has an incorrect word used twice. Tenant should be tenet.

  2. Ouriel Ohayon - 9 years ago

    Come on Apple. you do use App store data to sell better targetted iAds in tones of apps that are not made by Apple.

    • Matthew Judy - 9 years ago

      Come on, Ouriel. You do have to realize how Apple’s tightly-contained iAd system is radically different from the data-collection-and-sales free-for-all that is Google.

Author

Avatar for Chance Miller Chance Miller

Chance is the editor-in-chief of 9to5Mac, overseeing the entire site’s operations. He also hosts the 9to5Mac Daily and 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcasts.

You can send tips, questions, and typos to chance@9to5mac.com.

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