Apple CEO Tim Cook Prefers A Free Market

Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, is adamant that Google and Facebook have damaged the free market.

In an interview, Cook argued with Axio, that the tech industry’s approach to privacy reflects a failure in the free market.

Because of missteps from platforms like Google and Facebook, it is only a matter of time until the government steps in with regulations.

Cook is not a fan of regulation and prefers a market that is unimpeded.

Things need to get better and “Silicon Valley needs to get with the program,” Cook said.

A free market can work but right now Cook said, “We have to admit when the free market is not working. I think it’s inevitable that there will be some level of regulation.”

Cook is trying to distance his company from other tech giants as some of their actions have come under scrutiny. Cook is not a fan of companies that are spreading misinformation, hate speech and losing control over their customer’s data.

Apple is stressing that its platform is nothing like social media.

Apple’s focus is on selling hardware, like the popular smartphones and tablets. It is not selling targeted advertising based on user information.

In a speech in Brussels last month, Cook celebrated Europe for its stronger privacy rules and he feels the United States needs to do something similar. Even if other tech industries still don’t like the idea.

When Cook was confronted recently about Apple’s ties mainly with Google and why Apple still takes billions of dollars from the search giant. Cook defends why Google is the default on Safari and iOS by saying “Google’s search engine is the best,” Cook said. Sadly, the best needs to change.

Although Google is arguable the best, it no longer serves. Society is shifting how it searches and gathers, and Google’s antiquated algorithms are not cutting it.

Apple helps its users and Cook said, “We have private web browsing.”

We have intelligent tracking prevention. We come up with ways to help our users through the course of the day. It’s not a perfect thing, but it goes a long way in helping.”

Other companies in the telecom and cable are urging for a single federal standard, while consumer groups are looking for stricter rules that will treat the loss of private information as seriously as financial harm.

Cook is standing up for the free market and said, “This is not a matter of privacy versus profits or privacy versus technical innovation. Your device has incredible intelligence about you, but as a company, I don’t have to have that.”

Will there be a government intervention?

Is it even necessary, or do we just need to be more responsible in how we handle privacy?