Apple chief executive Tim Cook on Tuesday said the company is devoted to protecting people's privacy, with data encrypted and locked away on servers even in China.

Cook called privacy as one of the most important issues of this century, and maintained that the US-based technology colossus even safeguards data Chinese law requires it to keep stored in that country.

"We worked with a Chinese company to provide iCloud," Cook said, referring to Apple's service for storing digital content in the internet cloud during an interview with Vice News.

"But, the keys to the data are ours."

Cook said Apple hosts data on servers in an array of countries, but it is not easy for local authorities to get access. China is known for tight internet controls, prompting worries about the privacy of data stored there by Apple.

When asked about a recent security breach revealed by Facebook, Cook once again championed the importance of protecting people's information in a time when smartphones can reveal so much about them.

Cook has repeatedly stressed that Apple's business model does not involve gathering user data and targeting them with ads, the way internet giants Facebook and Google make money.

"You are not our product," Cook said.

"We don't create a profile and allow other companies to target you. That is not the business we are in."

Apple, valued at more than a trillion dollars based on its share price, makes most of its money from iPhone sales. The Silicon Valley company has been working to ramp up revenue from digital content and online services, such as streaming music and data storage.

Cook said that while he is a fan of the free market, he supports the idea of legislation aimed at protecting people's privacy.

"I think there is a need to work with Congress and the staff to make sure we do our jobs of helping them come up to speed on what's possible," Cook said.

"Technology itself doesn't want to be good. It doesn't want to be bad. It doesn't want to be anything. It is up to the creator."

Facebook adds new tools to stem online bullying
San Francisco (AFP) Oct 2, 2018 - Facebook on Tuesday stepped up ways to battle bullying and harassment at the leading social network.

The initiative calls for new tools and programs to help users control "unwanted, offensive or hurtful experiences on Facebook," global head of safety Antigone Davis said in a blog post.

"Everyone deserves to feel safe on Facebook," Davis said.

Facebook users will be able to hide or delete groups of comments, including responses, instead of having to remove them one at a time, according to Davis.

The feature was rolling out on desktop computers and Android-powered mobile devices, and promised to reach versions of the application on Apple gadgets in coming months.

Facebook also began letting people report bullying or harassment on behalf of friends reluctant to complain to the social network themselves.

"Being the target of unwanted attention can be stressful and some people may not feel comfortable reporting a bully or harasser," Davis said.

"If you see a friend or family member being bullied or harassed, now you can report someone on their behalf."

A team at Facebook reviews complaints to determine whether reported posts violate policies at the social network.

An appeals process implemented earlier this year regarding photos, videos, or posts taken down due to hateful, violent, or sexually explicit content will extend to decisions regarding bullying, according to Facebook.

"You will soon be able to ask for a further review if you report a piece of content for bullying or harassment and you think we made a mistake in determining whether it violates our policies," Davis said.

Facebook is also testing ways to let users search for or block words considered offensive in comment sections of their posts.

A majority of US teenagers say they have been victims of online harassment or bullying, and that social media companies aren't doing enough to fight the problem, a recent survey showed.

The Pew Research Center survey found that 59 percent of US teens reported being bullied or harassed online, and 63 percent said it was a major problem for people their age.

"Name-calling and rumor-spreading have long been an unpleasant and challenging aspect of adolescent life," said Monica Anderson, the lead researcher for the Pew report.

"But, the proliferation of smartphones and the rise of social media has transformed where, when and how bullying takes place,"

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Mobile phone ban for Dutch cyclists
The Hague (AFP) Sept 26, 2018
The sight of cyclists hurtling along while glued to their smartphones is a common one in the bike-mad Netherlands, but it will soon be illegal. With a growing number of accidents involving phones and bikes, the government is to ban the use of all but hands-free devices while cycling. "It is forbidden to use a mobile electronic device while driving any vehicle (including a bicycle)," says the draft law announced by Transport Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen late Tuesday. The bike law will take ... read more