Usually when Apple and law enforcement end up in the news together, it's because of a standoff over user privacy. But today, a new report outlines the company's efforts to build bridges with law enforcement — efforts that could change.
Apple's Efforts to Build Bridges with Police
Thomas Brewster writes for Forbes:
Twice in the past five years, Apple has held closed-door conferences for police agencies from around the world, bringing officers to the tech giant's Cupertino headquarters to discuss the best ways to use its products, Forbes has learned.
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Apple has been widely seen as having a hostile relationship with law enforcement since the company refused to help the FBI hack the iPhone of the shooter in the 2015 San Bernardino attacks. But it has since stepped up its cooperation with police through a conference and other meetings with agencies at both its Cupertino headquarters and its Elk Grove campus, as well as a host of previously unreported projects to help officers use iPhones, Macs, Apple Vision Pros and CarPlay… emails show. Most of those projects have not been announced publicly.
The report details two “Global Policing Summit” events that have been held so far. The first took place in 2019, and the second took place last year in October 2023.
The event reportedly included officers from about 50 police departments around the world, representing seven countries.
The events provided an opportunity for law enforcement agencies to gather at Apple Park and discuss different ways to use technology in their work.
Apple has also been building relationships with law enforcement, particularly in its home state of California, to encourage the adoption of Apple products by police and sheriff’s departments. For example, there have been tests and discussions with the Los Angeles Police Department and other local agencies to use the Vision Pro to replace CCTV monitors and CarPlay as an alternative to in-car laptops.
This story comes a year after the last Global Policing Summit, and according to the report, the Apple employee who led that effort, Gary Oldham, recently left the company.
The details of his departure are unknown. Notably, there was no Global Policing Summit this year. It's unclear whether the event will return without Oldham at the helm.
If you're interested in this topic, I highly recommend reading Forbes' full report. It's also on Apple News+, which has much more interesting details about Apple's efforts to collaborate with law enforcement.
