Alternative facts and fake news have become so pervasive in the the we consume lately that Apple CEO Tim Cook says it’s “one of today’s chief problems.”
During an interview this week in the U.K., Cook talked about the challenges tech companies face on how to combat stories that perpetuate false information without hurting the free flow of ideas on the internet.
Good Morning Britain caught up with Tim during his tour of the U.K. during which he met with prime minister Theresa May and received an honorary degree from the University of Glasgow. Cook told the show that fixing fake news won’t be easy.
Fixing Fake News
“We have to give the consumer tools to help with this,” Cook said. “And we’ve got filter out part of it before it ever gets there without losing the great openness of the internet. And so this is one of today’s chief problems, it is not something that has a simple solution.”
EXCLUSIVE: With fake news hitting the headlines, how does Apple boss @Tim_Cook think the issue should be dealt with? pic.twitter.com/kqF9scLzYh
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) February 10, 2017
Apple could add some tools to its News app to help highlight when an article has made dubious or false claims. That would require more people using the Apple News app though and so far it hasn’t been a huge hit.
Tim Cook also talked about the impending Brexit. When Cook and Theresa May met earlier this week, the prime minister reportedly discussed her strategy for leading the country out the EU. In an interview with the Independent, Cook said he thinks the U.K. will be “just fine.”
