It’s pretty much impossible to look at anything online these days without hearing about the hot water Facebook has landed itself in, and everyone has plenty to say about it. Apple CEO Tim Cook is even taking jabs at the social media firm over its use of data, saying that the company should have regulated itself before anything like the Cambridge Analytica scandal ever happened. He also had quite a few other things to talk about.
Cook taped an interview with Chris Hayes of MSNBC and Kara Swisher of Recode this week, and the latter has published some tidbits from that interview today. The interview will air in its entirety in early April on Recode and MSNBC’s next Revolution special.
Tim Cook targets Facebook
The Apple chief boldly called for regulation of internet companies such as Facebook to limit the way they’re able to use the data of their customers. He told Swisher and Hayes that he feels the company should have limited their use of individuals’ data when building “these detailed profiles of people … patched together from several sources.” He said that “self-regulation” is the best form of regulation that exists, but unfortunately, it’s too late for that now. While Tim Cook pointedly criticized Facebook for the Cambridge Analytica scandal, he also had harsh words for internet businesses in general, which includes Google.
Both companies have made their users’ data the main piece of their product, turning their users into the product they’re peddling to advertisers. Cook emphasized again that Apple makes most of its money by selling devices and has chosen not to monetize its users. He said they “could make a ton of money” if they decided to monetize their users, but they’ve chosen not to do so.
When asked what he would do if he were in Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s position, he simply said he wouldn’t ever get in that position.
Tim Cook talks manufacturing and more
The Apple chief had much more to talk about than just Facebook. He defended Apple’s decision to manufacture iPhones in China rather than domestically, saying that he still sees the iPhone as an American-made product because some parts of it are produced in the U.S. For example, the glass used for the displays is produced in Kentucky, while the chips they use are made in various states, notes Apple Insider. At one point, Apple plans to produce the Face ID scanner in Texas, and the company is building other manufacturing facilities in other parts of the country.
Hayes also asked Tim Cook about immigration and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, better known as DACA. Cook has repeatedly urged the Trump administration to keep the program in place, as it protects children who were brought to the U.S. from deportation. DACA is slated to expire soon, as lawmakers haven’t moved to save it yet, and Cook said he’s “completely offended” at what is happening to it. He also talked about how difficult it is for students to get visas so that they can attend college in the U.S.
