There are times when the gods above seem to work in concert to bring havoc to humankind. Prometheus: “Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad.” There are other times when the goose that lays the golden eggs takes nest in your backyard. One such event recently found its way to Apple Park in Cupertino, CA.
First, let me start with privacy. Or, depending upon your perspective, lack of privacy by various technology companies. Which ones? Let’s start with, say, Amazon and Google and Facebook. The former two have talking speakers which are sufficiently smart as to embarrass Apple’s new and somewhat anemic HomePod.
Anemic? Yes, HomePod is the best music speaker of the lot and that’s what Apple promotes. Amazon Echo with Alexa, and Google Home max and mini with Assistant, are, well– there’s no gentle way to put this– smarter than Apple’s somewhat dumb Siri which, on HomePod, isn’t the sharpest knife in the Siri drawer.
That’s by design. Why? Amazon and Google are on a never ending trek to suck your private data for its own lifeblood in much the same way that Count Dracula preys on lovely young women with starry eyes and long necks. Your private data is their lifeblood. You are their prey.
What about Facebook?
Funny thing. True story. Facebook has plans for its own talking stalking speaker to rival those from Amazon and Google. Why? Remember, to Facebook, you’re a user, not a customer, and that means you’re part of the product, and what better way to enhance their data collection methods than to sell you a talking stalking speaker that gathers even more information about you?
What happened to Facebook’s talking stalking speaker? Shelved. Why? Facebook has been taking plenty of heat about privacy problems and misuse of your personal data which ended up being used to manipulate voters in an election.
Yeah, that’s a problem and likely the tip of Facebook’s new public relations nightmare iceberg, and a good reason why the company’s own talking stalking speaker has been, uh, well, shelved for the moment. Why? So Facebook can rework the software and data capture mechanisms to look more transparent. Oh, and to let things in the public arena cool off awhile.
What about Apple?
The goose that lays the golden eggs has take roost somewhere in the park encircled by Apple’s new headquarters. Apple is more about privacy than Amazon, Google, or Facebook, and now the company has a newly installed soap box to deliver the message.
HomePod is not a stalking speaker. It’s all about music. What about privacy? Apple has a newly crafter Privacy Policy, too.
Apple products are designed to do amazing things. And designed to protect your privacy.
That’s right up on top. Next?
At Apple, we believe privacy is a fundamental human right. And so much of your personal information — information you have a right to keep private — lives on your Apple devices.
Give me some examples, Apple.
Your heart rate after a run. Which news stories you read first. Where you bought your last coffee. What websites you visit. Who you call, email, or message.
These are all profit centers for the likes of Google, Facebook, and even Amazon. It’s our lifeblood and they prosper by sucking users dry. That’s calling it like it is. And is Apple doing the right thing regarding our privacy?
Every Apple product is designed from the ground up to protect that information. And to empower you to choose what you share and with whom.
Think protect privacy, not use privacy for profit. There is a difference. Let’s hope Apple uses the goose that is laying golden eggs on the lawn at Apple Park for good, and that Facebook, Google, and Amazon learn from their misdeeds.
Oh, and maybe punished accordingly.