Apple CEO Tim Cook has once again called for technology to be regulated, suggesting that the US could take inspiration from Europe’s GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) rules to better protect user data.
The iPhone firm’s boss said that current efforts are not working and have led to “a great damage to society”.
“We all have to be intellectually honest, and we have to admit that what we’re doing isn’t working,” he told the Time 100 Summit in New York.
“Technology needs to be regulated. There are now too many examples where the no rails have resulted in a great damage to society.”
Cook explained that GDPR, the European Union-wide law introduced almost a year ago designed to protect people’s data and privacy, “isn’t ideal” but is “a step in the right direction” for the US to take note of.
“I’m hopeful,” he continued. “We are advocating strongly for regulation — I do not see another path.”
The 58-year-old has previously praised GDPR, saying that it was time for the rest of the world, including his home country, to follow the EU’s lead.
Last year, Cook urged the technology industry to take more responsibility for the devices and services it creates, warning that data is being weaponised with military efficiency against users.