[ciberado]

I honestly don’t understand how anyone can believe that Apple is limiting user options for privacy reasons, rather than trying to maintain an unfair advantage over other vendors.

I’m not saying people who hold this view are being dishonest at all. But sometimes, to me, brands like Harley-Davidson or Apple seem closer to a cult than to a typical corporation.

[slopinthebag]

Because privacy is actually a big feature, many people are skeptical about AI and the big model providers and don't trust them. They're less skeptical about on-device AI and so Apple is pushing that and making privacy a core feature of their online offering as well.

I probably wouldn't use it without that. It's one thing sending my shitty code to be trained on, and another thing entirely to give these companies access to my personal life and information.

[t0mas88]

That still doesn't explain why my data can only be sent to Apple and not to another vendor of my choice.

[nottorp]

Oh by the way, who decides if the data stays on device or gets sent to Apple?

I bet it's Apple and not the user.

[wmf]

Because Apple has Private Cloud Compute tech that other vendors do not have.

[lern_too_spel]

If they let me use my own server, they won't even know my usage patterns, which is even better for privacy.

[bigyabai]

Even if other vendors had Apple's hardware, it's doubtful that Apple would give competing services equal footing. See: The App Store.

The hardware isn't a real justification, just a convenient fig leaf.

[spogbiper]

I have created a more private cloud compute that is superior to Apple's implementation. Why can't Apple users choose my better service?

[e28eta]

Sounds like Apple offered to implement that, but it didn’t fit the EU’s requirements.

I suspect if you paid apple enough money, and were willing to prove that your personal Private Cloud Compute did meet their requirements, it wouldn’t be impossible.

[wmf]

That would be a good argument to take to the EU.

[jmull]

> ...closer to a cult...

When you have to image a highly irrational reason to explain why groups of people do the things they do, there's a decent chance you just don't understand their perspective. They may be acting reasonably rationally from their own perspective. (As you said yourself: "I honestly don't understand...")

[satvikpendem]

One can be rational but still be in a bubble or cult.

[jmull]

I think it's pretty clear that the previous poster characterized the Apple brand as a cult to specifically express the idea that people have an irrational devotion to it.

[satvikpendem]

Well, they do have an irrational devotion to it. But even if it were rational, that again doesn't mean they're not in a cult.