Publications
Publications
- August 2023
- HBS Case Collection
Apple: Privacy vs. Safety (C)
By: Henry McGee, Nien-hê Hsieh and Kerry Herman
Abstract
In September 2021, Apple decided to delay updates to iOS and iPadOS that included features to fight child sexual abuse. While many—including prominent privacy and security experts—praised Apple, others were opposed. They saw Apple introducing features that risked undermining the privacy of all Apple users—privacy that Apple had strongly championed. Shortly thereafter, prompted by security concerns related to the war in Ukraine and the spread of online child sexual abuse and pornography, legislation was proposed in the United Kingdom to give the government the right to demand the removal of encryption. In response, some tech companies with encrypted messaging apps contemplated pulling out of the U.K. Should Apple CEO Tim Cook do the same, reintroduce the updates to iOS and iPadOS, or something else?
Keywords
Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Values and Beliefs; Public Opinion; Applications and Software; Leadership
Citation
McGee, Henry, Nien-hê Hsieh, and Kerry Herman. "Apple: Privacy vs. Safety (C)." Harvard Business School Supplement 324-033, August 2023.