Google’s Schmidt Fires Back at Apple’s Cook

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In Apple CEO Tim Cook‘s recently posted missive about privacy, he opined that “When an online service is free, you’re not the customer, you’re the product.”

Adding, “At Apple, we believe a great customer experience shouldn’t come at the expense of your privacy.”

Google chairman, Eric Schmidt, didn’t miss the accusation, and during an interview with CNN Money he responded.

“Someone didn’t brief him correctly on Google’s policies,” Schmidt said. “It’s unfortunate for him.”

Insisting that Google protects its users data from all actors, good or ill (government(s), hackers, and advertisers), Schmidt added; “We have always been the leader in security and encryption.” He continued, “Our systems are far more secure and encrypted than anyone else, including Apple. They’re catching up, which is great.”

Google introduced end-to-end encryption for its Gmail, this summer. The next version of Android, their mobile service, will be encrypted by default when it’s released later this year. Similarly, Apple has significantly bolstered its security across all its devices and systems. Its latest mobile operating system, iOS 8, has data encryption built into all of its proprietary apps. Also, iCloud has been reinforced after last month’s massive leak of celebrity nude photos (although Apple still contends they weren’t hacked).

You can read the full article at CNN Money here.

Schmidt’s new book How Google Works is in stores this week. You can read more about him and Tim Cook by clicking their highlighted names above and visiting their PeekYou profiles.