Apple is a world-famous technology company, but behind the scenes, there is a shocking urban legend that it is selecting humans. This urban legend claims that Apple collects data from users’ iPhones and Mac devices, and ranks and monitors them based on their reliability and value. In this article, we will explain the content, evidence, and truth of this urban legend in detail.
The Content of the Urban Legend of Apple’s Human Selection
This urban legend is based on the information revealed by Edward Snowden, a former CIA employee, in 2013. Snowden exposed a secret program called “PRISM” that the National Security Agency (NSA) used to monitor communications on the Internet and phones on a large scale. This program was said to be supported by major IT companies such as Apple, Google, and Facebook.
According to this information, Apple collects data from users’ iPhones and Mac devices, such as location information, contacts, email and message content, website browsing history, etc., and provides them to the NSA. Furthermore, Apple analyzes these data and quantifies them into numerical values that indicate the users’ reliability and value. This ranking is called "credit score".
Credit score is an indicator that measures the reliability and value of a person based on their behavior and preferences. For example, if you make political statements or antisocial actions, or are involved in illegal transactions or fraud, your credit score will be low. On the contrary, if you contribute to society or make legitimate transactions or purchases, your credit score will be high.
Credit score affects the service and treatment you receive from Apple. For example, users with high credit scores can receive discounts and preferential support for Apple products, or be invited to special events and gifts. Conversely, users with low credit scores may face price increases and limited support for Apple products, or be excluded from events and gifts.
Moreover, there is a frightening prediction that credit score will affect human survival rights in the future. This is called the "Human Regeneration Plan". The Human Regeneration Plan is a plan to prioritize the migration of users with high credit scores to other planets when the Earth’s environment deteriorates and becomes uninhabitable for humans. This plan is said to be based on the will left by Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple.
The Evidence of the Urban Legend of Apple’s Human Selection
This urban legend can be based on the information revealed by Snowden and Apple’s privacy policy.
First, the information revealed by Snowden includes documents and slides that show that the NSA collects data from Apple and other IT companies. These documents contain descriptions such as Apple joined PRISM in October 2012, and the types and ranges of data provided by Apple. Also, Snowden has revealed in interviews that Apple analyzes user data and creates credit scores.
Second, Apple’s privacy policy admits that Apple collects and uses user data. For example, in December 2020, Apple made changes to its privacy policy. As a result, Apple can use phone and email information to prevent fraud. This is considered to be information necessary for judging the reliability and value of users.
The Truth of the Urban Legend of Apple’s Human Selection
This urban legend has some credibility in terms of evidence and proof. However, that alone does not mean that it is selecting humans. In fact, there are various counterarguments and questions about this urban legend.
First, the information revealed by Snowden shows that the NSA collects data but does not reveal how it uses it. Also, Snowden has not shown any concrete evidence or basis for his claims or testimonies. Therefore, there is a possibility that credit score and human regeneration plan are just speculation or conjecture.
Second, Apple’s privacy policy admits that Apple collects and uses user data but does not specify its purpose or method. For example, using phone and email information to prevent fraud can be considered a legitimate reason related to user benefits and safety. However, it is unclear how this information prevents fraud or whether it is used for other purposes. Therefore, this does not prove that Apple uses this information to measure user reliability and value.
Finally, this urban legend claims that not only Apple but also other companies rank humans. For example, Google and Facebook also collect and analyze user data and reflect the results in advertising and services. However, there is no clear evidence or basis for these companies to select humans either. Also, selecting humans can have a negative impact on corporate image and credibility, and pose a high risk for business.
The Urban Legend of Apple’s Human Selection Summary
In this article, we explained the urban legend that Apple is selecting humans. This urban legend can be based on the information revealed by Snowden and Apple’s privacy policy, but that alone does not mean that it is selecting humans. In fact, there are various counterarguments and questions about this urban legend. Therefore, this urban legend is just a rumor or hypothesis and is likely not true.
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