Tim Cook: Privacy Has Become a Crisis [Video]

Tim Cook recently sat down with ABC News to discuss privacy and screen time. The Apple CEO said he wants the United States to create protections similar to Europe's that prevent the mining of customer data.

"We shouldn't sugarcoat the consequences. This is surveillance. Privacy in itself has become a crisis. It's of that proportion -- A crisis. I think it's a crisis. If you think about it, when I was growing up, one of the worst things, other than, you know, something like hurting somebody or something, was the peeping Tom. You know, somebody looking in the window. The fact is that the people who track on the internet know a lot more about you than if somebody's looking in your window. A lot more. Because you tend to put your thoughts online."

When asked about the issue of people spending an ever increasing amount of time on their digital devices, Cook said Apple doesn't make more money the longer people stay on its phones. He also said he would prefer if customers did not use the product a lot.


"We make money if we can convince you to buy an iPhone. And so it's kind of a straightforward and honest business model. But I don't want you using the product a lot. In fact, if you're using it a lot, there's probably something we should do to make your use more productive."

Cook points to Screen Time as a way for users to limit their device use. You can watch the full interview below!