Tim Cook to praise GDPR, push for ‘federal privacy law’ in US, and more during keynote in Brussels

Tim Cook is slated to give a keynote address tomorrow at the International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners in Brussels. Ahead of the speech, TechCrunch offers some details of what Cook will say in his prepared remarks – which include an endorsement of the General Data Protection Regulation and more.

During his speech, Cook will endorse the idea of a “comprehensive federal privacy law” for the United States. This is not the first time Cook has floated this idea, but this will likely represent the most formal setting in which Cook has called for this sort of reform.

Building on his call for federal privacy reform in the United States, Cook is expected to praise GDPR during his keynote tomorrow. The Apple CEO will call it an example of how “good policy and political will can come together to protect the rights of us all.” Further, he’ll add that Apple is optimistic about technology’s potential for good, but note that humanity plays a role:

“We are optimistic about technology’s awesome potential for good. But we know that it won’t happen on its own. Every day, we work to infuse the devices we make with the humanity that makes us.”

TechCrunch adds a few more details on Cook’s prepared remarks. “We will never achieve technology’s true potential without the full faith and confidence of the people who use it,” Tim Cook will say according to TechCrunch.

He’ll also touch on broader, non-technology topics during his remarks, calling on delegates to focus on climate change, fighting disease, and economy inclusion:

In the speech, Cook will also seek to push the conversation beyond talk of compliance and defence of rights — by laying out a broad, positive vision for technology and privacy in the 21st century.

He is expected to tell delegates “we need to keep making progress — now more than ever” on “humanity’s greatest common project”, citing challenges such as climate change, fighting disease, and education and economy inclusion.

According to TechCrunch, Tim Cook is the first tech CEO to give the keynote address at ICDPPC. This year, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and Google’s Sundar Pichai will also offer remarks at the event, but only via pre-recorded video.

We’ll have full coverage of everything Cook addresses tomorrow right here at 9to5Mac.

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