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Comment by urda | Hacker News Reader

> Apples fake privacy concerns.

Apple has been a loud, proven advocate and supporter of Privacy. This comment is all snark and nothing factual.

They have been loud, but it remains to be proven. The truth is that we don't really know what they do with our data.

Telling the FBI to bugger off when they came and asked apple to crack their own encryption isn't enough of an example, exigent as it may very well be, whatever your personal opinions of due process are?

I'm extremely glad they did that, and I absolutely give them credit for it. But it only proves that they were willing to stand up to the FBI. It doesn't prove anything else about how they handle your data and privacy. I'm not saying that they abuse it, I'm just saying that we don't know what they do.

All we can do is look at the information so far and it indicates they care about privacy: https://www.apple.com/privacy/ and more specifically https://www.apple.com/privacy/government-information-request...

Well, that isn't nearly all of the information. That is what they say, just like FB says they they don't abuse your privacy.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-apple-icloud-insigh...

They have already shown that they are willing to violate people's privacy. That is useful information.

So if you're not going to take it straight from the horses mouth, what then is your complaint and how can anyone ever hope to resolve it?

This isn't personal, I just find it increasingly odd when people in online discussions gripe about company not doing x, is then shown clear examples of x and coping back with "that's what they want you to believe" or when asking for an example, is given one and backpedal saying "that doesn't meet these new criteria that weren't up for discussion from the start"

It boggles my mind.

If you won't offer concessions when evidence comes straight from the source what evidence will you?

And I find it insanely naive that anyone would believe what comes from the horses mouth, especially when they don't provide any evidence. Companies say things all the time that aren't true, and I find it silly to believe giant PR groups.

I'm not saying that they violate your privacy, I'm only saying that we don't know what they do with your data, thus we don't know if they protect your privacy or not.

My complaint is easily solvable: Allow me to set up and use a phone/laptop in such a way that they can't violate my privacy.

No? Facebook and Google also refuse to crack their own encryption, but are still privacy concerns.

Is there ANY evidence that they don’t do what their privacy policy says they do?

Yeah, there is: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-apple-icloud-insigh...

That is proof that Apple follows local laws. Just like every other American company doing business in China.

For instance, Microsoft.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/china/china-overview-...

And?

A privacy violation via legal means is still a privacy violation. I fully acknowledge that we don't know what Microsoft does with our data either.

Their specific question was if you had evidence of apple violating their own privacy policy. I'd agree that what they're doing is unethical, but it's not done secretly, and I'd expect that in China their privacy policy makes this clear.

Do you have evidence of Apple violating their privacy policy?

Actually, you are correct, I apologize. I mis-read the question and no, I don't have any evidence of Apple violating their privacy policy. But that's not what I'm stating. I'm only stating that we don't know what they do with our data.

from downvotes on this, gotta love the fanboys take on those issues.

> > app steals user data

> jusy deny gps access or never install it

and then

> > apple throws chinese reporters under the bus

> they are just complying with local law.

like they didn't have an option of not doing business there.

Technically speaking, they have the option. Practically speaking, they do not have an option.

I don't see why not. Plenty of other organizations work that way. Why can't Apple?

Apple’s a publicly-held company, and China is among the largest markets for consumer electronics. Apple’s shareholders wouldn’t be too pleased if Apple simply said “nah” to such a market, and Apple’s obligations are ultimately to its shareholders.

The situation might be different if Apple was a different kind of company, but it is what it is.

I'm sorry, but I don't buy it. Prioritizing your users is completely an option. This is simply a choice in which Apple chooses money over it's users.

Since I can't edit my last reply, and I misread this originally: No, I don't have any evidence that they do. Nor am I saying that they violate their privacy policy. I'm simply saying that we don't know what they do with their user's data.

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