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When it comes to data privacy, we have to find a balance. We can. We must.

On October 24th, Apple CEO Tim Cook dropped a pretty big bomb when he lambasted fellow tech giants, without naming names, for creating an emerging ‘‘data industrial complex’’ that allows companies to ‘‘know you better than you may know yourself.’’

Full transcript below.

 

[00:00:12] Hi, I’m Douglas Spencer.

 

[00:00:13] So last week Apple CEO Tim Cook lambasted his fellow tech giants for what he calls an ’emerging data industrial complex that allows companies to know you better than you know yourself.’ He expressed alarm at the practice and potential, uh, for rogue actors and governments to use algorithms to deepen divisions, incite violence, and undermine our shared sense of what is true and what is false. Data privacy he says is a fundamental right, and he called on the U.S. government, and others, to adopt strict data privacy laws. Now, as someone who makes his living through digital marketing, someone who has taught digital marketing, um, it’s no surprise that I have a few words in response to Mr. Cook. And those are, I could not agree more. Data enables marketers to get closer to our customers, to understand them, to develop better products, to create relationships that are mutually beneficial.

 

[00:01:12] But, at what cost? Every single day you and I give little bits of ourselves away with every like, with every share, with every, with everything we post on the Internet.

[tweetshare tweet=”Data enables marketers to get closer to our customers, to understand them, to develop better products, to create relationships that are mutually beneficial.” username=”SB_Branding”] [00:01:24] We might as well be working in the red light district of Amsterdam. Now, hypocrisy, I know, I know, I know you’re saying well wait a minute, wait a minute I’m watching this video on social media. I’m watching this video because an algorithm put it in front of me. I’m watching this video because someone gave a little piece of themselves away, and liked it and shared it.

 

[00:01:43] Yes and I hope you like it and share it too. I really hope you like it and share it too. So, obviously I don’t think that the collection of data or the use of it or social media platforms are inherently evil, or the problem. The problem is the amount of information that we collect, and how we use it. Can we find a balance? Is it really worth selling x-million more wise?

[tweetshare tweet=”I really think we have to find a balance when it comes to data privacy. We have to find a balance, and we can.” username=”SB_Branding”] [00:02:11] What we’re doing is we’re diluting the whole individuality that we have as a society and and as a humanity, and all those things that make life really cool. The fact that there’s differences among us, and that we get infuriated with each other sometimes and we love each other, all of those things are in danger if we start giving ourselves away constantly.

 

[00:02:32] So, I really think we have to find a balance when it comes to data privacy. We have to find a balance, and we can. We’d love to hear your thoughts. Thanks and uh have a great day.

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