Tim Cook may have been on the receiving end of welcoming notes from other watchmakers now the Apple Watch has been announced, but not every note has been so friendly.
On Monday, the office of Connecticut attorney general George Jepsen revealed that he had sent an open letter to Tim Cook noting concerns about the privacy implications of Apple Watch, particularly related to the handling of health data.
In his letter, Jepsen requests a meeting with Apple to discuss how this information will be stored and safeguarded, perhaps partially provoked by concerns lingering from the recent iCloud hacking incident.
Jepsen wants to know whether personal and health information will be stored on the Apple Watch itself or on Apple servers. He says that he is not accusing Apple of anything, but rather trying to open up a dialog.
While the company has reportedly yet to respond, Jepsen may well find Apple agrees on many of his concerns. Recently the App Store’s Review Guidelines were updated, letting developers know that HealthKit data must not be stored on iCloud, and that apps are barred from sharing HealthKit data with third parties without user consent.
Tim Cook has also been outspoken about Apple’s difference from Google as a company — noting that Apple is not a business built on monetizing user data.
“You are not our product,” Cook said during his recent interview with Charlie Rose. “I think everyone has to ask, ‘How do companies make their money?’ Follow the money. And if they’re making money mainly by collecting gobs of personal data, I think you have a right to be worried and you should really understand what’s happening with that data.”
George Jepsen’s letter to Tim Cook, dated Friday 12th, can be read here.
Source: PCworld
Luke Dormehl is a U.K.-based journalist and author, with a background working in documentary film for Channel 4 and the BBC. He is the author of The Apple Revolution and The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems … and Create More, both published by Penguin/Random House. His tech writing has also appeared in Wired, Fast Company, Techmeme and other publications.
30 responses to “Attorney general wants to quiz Tim Cook about Apple Watch privacy”
I personally think this is a political stunt by the CT attorney general, and I’d love to see Apple respond by telling this hack that to alleviate his concerns, they won’t sell the Apple Watch in CT.
Maybe, but Government officials have to know about privacy concerns with regards to technical devices. I think Apple should publish White Papers on various products that would answer of these types of questions so that way, they couldn’t turn it into a political stunt. Most technical companies publish White papers and I think Apple SHOULD do that. Just like I think they should provide more comprehensive instructional videos talking more in depth of all facets of the product to help position the product accordingly.
I think Apple should always publish security white papers on their devices, new versions of OS, etc. to discuss in more detail so it answers the questions before they get asked.
Seriously……if someone needs to do this, perhaps it is the feds. But is is it really fair for Apple to have to sit down with EACH state AG one at a time (e.g., respond to 50 requests). And honestly, I’ve been watching all of these AGs for years. They are all about political grandstanding.
Agreed. Many times, Apple gets into a new business vertical or market no one expects, builds a natural monopoly, then uses technology to increase productive output, and eliminate manual labor and jobs. Apple is still acting like it’s the early 2000s, where there’s a Texas Businessman in the white house; and American citizens know companies will be sharing data to find terrorists.
So today, the US Government survives on taxes paid through labor of the American Worker and workforce.
That said, if Apple’s new business opportunity is going to result in a gross loss of American labor (on an hourly basis), or shifts labor to cheaper, less-sophisticated and less-educated labor markets, then I believe Government resources are absolutely correct to analyze and review it.
Reelection year.
A company can have the strongest security available but if the consumer use a password as simple as 123456, then no security in the world will work. Besides, Apple Watch isn’t being forced on the consumer.
Oh $hit, how did you know my password?? Just joking. Yeah, passwords are how people traditionally get access to computer information and a good password helps. Also, changing one’s password from time to time also helps.
Thank god somebody gets it. Security can never be ensured through tech alone. It comes down to the user’s responsibility to lock the frickin doors before the horse bolts. The UK health service had to comply with data protection regulation to protect patient data. So they installed whole disk encryption software on all their laptops – Smart move. BUT they set all the passwords to – DUMB F*CKS. Right technology, wrong headedness.
This always sucks. Every-time someone guesses my password, I have to change my dogs name. He’s starting to develop a twitch !!!
So amusing… I don’t recall Google being quizzed about privacy – probably because with them and all their products, there inherently and by design is zero privacy. I really wish Apple would do a little more to explain to the mindless masses about Jennifer Lawrence’s hot nude photos and how they were acquired. I’ve spoken to friends who still think it was an “iCloud hack”, as in, Apple’s iCloud servers were hacked, and that simply isn’t the case even if the idiot media and tech blogs like to keep headlining that way. It’s important people understand the difference because so many hacks are due to user error or stupidity of weak passwords or no security at all (no phone lock). People have to understand in order to protect themselves better that at least half of the security falls on their own heads.
You don’t recall Google being quizzed about privacy? REALLY?
Wow. Just wow.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=google+quizzed+about+privacy
Because they already know the answer. There is none. Plus Google doesn’t sell a smart watch tracking health information.
Cook ought to tell this grandstanding Dumocrat to go jump in a lake.
That’s not how professionals react to Government officials. His questions regarding medical information is important to him and it’s fair to ask whatever questions regarding security and Apple should be more than happy to answer the questions.
This is a sales opportunity For God’s sake. If they invited this Government official to Apple Corporate for an Executive briefing and they answered all of the questions these government officials have, then they might be able to sell product through these people. When someone asks about a product you make, you treat it as a sales opportunity because that’s what happens if someone has an interest in your products. Running and hiding from answering legitimate concerns doesn’t help sell more products, it just pisses people off.
Since when did Apple need “help” to sell any of their products? They seem to have done OK up to this point without the government.
I know my parent’s iCloud ID and password. I hacked it. Apple fault. XD
I’d throw his letter in the trash. I’d trust Apple more than this administration.
“Attorney general wants to quiz Tim Cook about Apple Watch privacy’
I’m sure the AG has something… ANYTHING better to do with his time. Besides, all he has to do it text Tim Cook. Apple iMessages are fully encrypted. But then, the AG may still have a Blackberry.
AG’s should keep up to date on all new technology gadgets just so they understand. It helps them do their job. Most AG’s aren’t techno geeks, they are attorneys that are buried in cases and law books all day long instead of playing around with products.
Perhaps so. But a quiz, much less a hearing, is hardly necessary. Apple is not the enemy. I’m sure the AG can get all he needs from Cook via a simple notarized memo… or a FaceTime call. He might even persuade Cook to give him an Apple Watch.
I wonder if the AG is worried about all the unsecured personal info floating around in the Obummercare websites?
Apple: “Oh darn we just did NOT think of privacy when partnering with all those health agencies”.
Lawyers don’t typically ASSUME, so he’s not trying to assume anything, he’s just has a bunch of questions and it’s within his right to do so. At least he’s trying to understand the technology. I would rather more of them were interested enough in asking the questions.
Because Government have to deal with the public and the medical community in their state, city and county and they have to know what’s going on with technical devices that are new that may have a significant impact. They might have to add or change laws because of these devices or at least understand something better so they might not have to. The guy is just doing his job and this is a way for people to at least know he’s not completely ignorant. I think ultimately, he’ll be told that the product is secure and that there is nothing to worry about.
Yes; this happens all the time. I remember when DirecTV thought their access cards were secure. They contracted manufacture out to a company called NDS Group. (It’s parent was NewsCorp).
The NDS smartcard was hacked using off-the shelf parts and software. It created a huge issue for DirecTV. At one point in time, (in the 1990s) it was estimated 25% of all DirecTV receivers were not paying for channels.
Today, the encryption is more secure, possibly copied from European Nagravision standards. Basically, NDS had to stop using ARM processors in the smartcards and develop their own processor chips.
Heavy reliance on NewsCorp and NDS nearly bankrupted DirecTV. Rupert Murdoch had to become a boardmember to replace cards and prevent broadcasters from suing DirecTV/NewsCorp. Finally, NewsCorp sold the company to Cisco.
That’s what happens when you don’t hire a third party to perform due-dillegence research.
Ooooh somebody wants to run for office. This sad hack should focus his time on something meaningful like an open letter to GM asking them why they shipped cars with deadly defects. What sad limelight grabber.
Mr. Cook. We’re going to have to meet and discuss your new privacy storage terms before I buy my daughters a new iPhone 6 each. I suggest you fly me out to your HQ for lunch. It would also be helpful to see your product launches for the next 5 years so I don’t need to bug you again. If I have to stay over night, I’ll just curl up in SJ’s old office. I await your response.
I think a more honest headline would read… Bored AG from CT finds a way to get a free meet and greet with Tim Cook, may ask for job.