8K views · Dec 18, 2020 · 0:34 · 0 HN recommenders · 3 mentions · discussed 2022–2025
A one-minute clip of Steve Jobs in 2010 saying companies should ask users before tracking them, and that people's personal data is like their diary.
Why Hacker News points people here: HN commenters cite it to contrast Apple's stated privacy stance with its later practices or to show Jobs's view on user control of data.
“your laptop is your diary, and they have a responsibility to that.”HN comment, 2025
Steve Jobs 2010 on asking users before tracking
I’m surprised that people still call Apples stance a “story” All they are saying is that tracking is ok as long as you just ask the end user first. Here’s Steve Jobs in 2010 this video Are they perfect? No. But at least they haven’t changed their stance in 12 years unlike Google et al.
“I think this goes back to what Steve said in 2010.”
Jobs on user control over data
Thank you for mentioning this. I thought I was going crazy, because I heard this too, but kept seeing comment after comment on other sites asking if a person could choose not to use OpenAI, or that it was happening magically in the background. The way I heard it, the user was in control. I think this goes back to what Steve said in 2010. this video And yes, while the data might not be linked to the user and striped of sensitive data, I could see people not wanting something very personal things to go to OpenAI, even if there should be no link. For example, I wouldn’t want any of my pictures going to OpenAI unless I specifically say it is OK for a given image.
“your laptop is your diary, and they have a responsibility to that.”
Jobs's belief in protecting personal data
I think Steve truly believed at his core, very simply: your laptop is your diary, and they have a responsibility to that. I don't think Tim would be CEO if he didn't believe what Steve did. It's so weird, but I really miss Steve. this video
