Apple and Privacy

Apple has ramped up its hiring of artificial intelligence experts, recruiting from PhD programs, posting dozens of job listings and greatly increasing the size of its AI staff, a review of hiring sites suggests and numerous sources confirm. 

The goal is to challenge Google in an area the Internet search giant has long dominated: smartphone features that give users what they want before they ask. 

As part of its push, the company is currently trying to hire at least 86 more employees with expertise in the branch of artificial intelligence known as machine learning, according to a recent analysis of Apple job postings. The company has also stepped up its courtship of machine-learning PhD's, joining Google, Amazon, Facebook and others in a fierce contest, leading academics say.

But some experts say the iPhone maker's strict stance on privacy is likely to undermine its ability to compete in the rapidly progressing field.

From Reuters.

Interesting contradiction. Companies normally have to be forced to protect privacy and not sell user data for their gain. Apple, who uses privacy as one of their strategies and ethos (frequently declaring that it doesn't see the need/purpose of gathering all data from users) is being criticised  for trying to find the right balance. I know I'll continue buying (some of) their products based purely on this one item that I trust them with this strategy of protecting my data.

Update: an intersesting aside - Apple refusing to give over user data as its "iMessage system was encrypted and the company could not comply." (New York Times).