A Look Inside Apple's User Data Utilization Wars (reuters.com)

tlhIngan writes: It's no secret Apple [is] on a privacy bent as of late. But that extends inside of Apple as well with various internal groups fighting for access to user data and often being denied by Apple's "privacy czars" who ensure Apple doesn't collect information they don't [need], that information is used only [in] ways the user allows, and to design the systems to keep user data separate. This has lead to many conflicts, especially for the Siri and iAd team who often cannot access [the] user data they need. Of course, Apple can do this because unlike Google, Facebook or [Amazon], Apple makes money on hardware and not on the sale of customer data.

Comments

apple makes money on its much hyped brand

[sittingnut]

"Apple makes money on hardware and not on the sale of customer data."
actually apple makes money on its much hyped brand, using it to sell overpriced (and usually copyrighted and patent protected) hardware, software and content.

pseudo news ads like this, and whole encryption saga, are all part of brand protection and enhancement. (which they apple is perfectly free to do btw).

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also logically speaking, however it makes money does not necessarily limit its options with regard to user data.