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In a speech earlier today to the European parliament, Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, took a strong stance in favor of regulation of tech companies.
Cook praised the effective data privacy regulation enforced in the EU and other countries around the world. "It is up to us, including my home country, to follow your lead," ... He used the opportunity to speak about Apple's longstanding commitment to privacy and to call for changes to the law in the US that mimic the EU's strict new privacy regulations.
If your internal policies are so good, isn't that good enough for you? Why must you force others to behave the same way?
While seeming to be a genuine pro-consumer stance, there is a lot of darkness below the surface.
1: Financial Gain
Of course he would want regulations on privacy, because Apple is big enough to comply with new regulations. Smaller companies who have to pay even more for licenses, and compliance measures, will be priced out of the market. Big Business always loves regulations and everyone else loses. Small businesses can't start up and challenge the big guy, the pool of competition shrinks, and the price reduction over time slows.
2: Government Power
If you give the government power to tell people what to do, that can get ugly fast. Think of how the 4th Amendment has been ruined by the Patriot act. If there is another event like 9/11 here, nothing would stop the government from commanding companies to turn over customer data for the purpose of "national security", and it would be quite easy to do seeing as the methods and infrastructure are already there.
3: Hurts everyone who isn't wealthy
Not only do market monopolies hurt those who aren't flowing with cash because there is less competition, but there are many programs or opportunities that scores of people voluntarily participate in to make money by selling their data. Examples would include the Google Rewards program (surveys for google play credit), Cross Media Panel (search history for cash), and the many apps where you upload a picture of your receipts for money. All such programs which offer opportunities for those who want to make a little money on the side by selling their information wouldn't be allowed to do so since that business would no longer be legal. Websites like Facebook and Twitter are free because of advertising and selling your data. If you don't like it, you don't have to use it, but if you want to and you cannot pay for it, selling your info and seeing targeted ads can allow people to use these services free of charge. Then again, with the iPhone X starting at $750 USD, I doubt Apple really cares about the less fortunate when it comes to consumer products.
