Apple CEO Tim Cook granted an interview with Axios on HBO on Sunday. In the pre-recorded interview, Apple’s CEO talked about several subjects, including the “inevitable” tightening of technology privacy regulations, Apple’s relationship with Google, his daily routine, and much more.
Cook told the interviewer that a tightening of privacy regulations is likely on the way for the tech industry, and he’s okay with that:
“Generally speaking, I am not a big fan of regulation,” Cook said in the interview. “I’m a big believer in the free market. But we have to admit when the free market is not working. And it hasn’t worked here. I think it’s inevitable that there will be some level of regulation,” Cook added. “I think the Congress and the administration at some point will pass something.”
Cook says tech companies shouldn’t resist the new regulations, but should instead embrace them:
“This is not a matter of privacy versus profits, or privacy versus technical innovation. That’s a false choice.”
Cook then discussed his company’s relationship with Google. Despite Apple’s position on user privacy, the company takes billions per year from the less-than-private Google to make it Apple’s default search engine.
“I think [Google’s] search engine is the best. Look at what we’ve done with the controls we’ve built in. We have private web browsing, we have intelligent tracker prevention. What we’ve tried to do is come up with ways to help our users through their course of the day. It’s not a perfect thing – I’d be the first person to say that – but it goes a long way to helping.”
Apple’s CEO was also asked whether he had concerns about the male-dominated culture of the tech industry.
“We spend a lot of time on this and we’re constantly asking ourselves how we can improve more and listening to what our folks tell us, and I believe others are doing that too,” Cook said. “I’m actually encouraged at this point that there will be a marked improvement over time.”
Cook also discussed his daily routine, saying he rises each morning a little before 4 a.m., reads through user comments for awhile, then heads to the gym to help “keep the stress at bay.”
A full video of the interview hasn’t as yet bene posted online. However, a clip is available for viewing, seen below.
