Apple’s “differential privacy” is about collecting your data—but not your data

Wired:

Federighi’s emphasis on differential privacy likely means Apple is actually sending more of your data than ever off of your device to its servers for analysis, just as Google and Facebook and every other data-hungry tech firm does. But Federighi implies that Apple is only transmitting that data in a transformed, differentially private form.

Privacy advocates are really poring over this but so far, it sounds like Apple has found an interesting solution to the conundrum of wanting access to more data but not identifying customers from that data.



18 thoughts on “Apple’s “differential privacy” is about collecting your data—but not your data”

  1. “Privacy advocates are really pouring over this “

    no they aren’t, they are ‘poring’ over it. Entirely different word.

  2. Apple didn’t find this solution. Differential privacy is a well-researched concept based on statistics.

  3. Google has been working on differential privacy for a while, and publicly announced a project called RAPPOR on this front 2 years ago. If I were a cynic, I’d say Apple is playing catchup. But reality is not that simple. I believe Apple is a stronger advocate of privacy. But it is simply misguided to believe that Apple found differential privacy and Google didn’t.

  4. “It’s likely Apple have been working on it for just as long though.”

    No foundation to debate one way or the other. But why does it matter?

    “Apple really suffer in the press and public opinion partly because they are so secretive.”

    Good grief! Apple is one of the most beloved companies in the world. Are they really suffering in the press and public?

  5. theres a difference tween a commenter and a professional tech outlet. this is why Gruber loves corrections and doesnt return jabs at those pointing out the error in a piece.

  6. Apple is one of the most beloved companies in the world. Are they really suffering in the press and public?

    of course they are. open your eyes. the NYT, the WSJ, Forbes, WaPo, etc etc.. when youre on top people are always trying to drag you down w/ negative press.

    consumers love them, but the media and tech pundits delight in putting on their hater caps. (i believe youre familar with one of those, yes?)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *