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In a speech on Wednesday, Tim Cook launched a deadly attack on tech companies who flout users' privacy, but a former Facebook executive accused him of not putting into practice what he preaches.
Although Mr. Cook did not name Facebook or Google, they were clearly targeted by his remarks in Brussels, where he stated that people's data "were counterfeit with military efficiency" to "enrich" businesses who collect the information.
But Alex Stamos, the former head of Facebook security who had directed his internal investigation into Russia's interferences in the 2016 presidential election, said that Apple did not compromise the confidentiality of the privacy of users in China.
In a series of tweets, he said that Apple was blocking privacy-enhancing services, such as end-to-end encrypted email applications and installing VPN on its devices in China. Stamos also pointed out that Apple had recently transferred its iCloud data to a state-owned telecommunications company.
Cook has already said in an interview that Apple's data stored in China was still under lock and key. "We worked with a Chinese company to provide iCloud, but the keys […] are ours, "he told Vice earlier this month.
Stamos said China is an "ethical blind spot" for many tech companies. He added that companies are exploiting the rights of weaker workers to manufacture their products, respect China's surveillance laws and ignore the environmental damage caused by Chinese Bitcoin farms.
Stamos and Cook have agreed on one point: the United States needs a strong privacy law and businesses such as Facebook and Twitter need to minimize the amount of data they collect. .
Stamos also criticized the media for allowing Cook to effectively launch into Facebook's arches by ignoring the restricted right to privacy of Chinese citizens.
Business Insider has contacted Apple for a comment.
Tech's problems with China have recently been put in the spotlight because of Google's attempts to re-enter the market. Google has drawn fire both externally and internally for its announced project to launch a censored search engine in order to comply with Chinese laws.
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