Apple recently hosted a Global Police Summit at its Cupertino headquarters, where cops from seven countries learned how to use Apple products such as the iPhone, Vision Pro, and CarPlay for surveillance and policing work. Despite the perception of a combative relationship with law enforcement, Apple has ramped up collaboration with police through conferences, meetings, and various projects helping cops use Apple technology. This collaboration, largely kept under wraps by Apple, highlights the tension between providing tech for police surveillance operations and its pro-privacy marketing.
The Global Police Summit, held over three days in October 2023 at Apple Park, brought together police agencies from around the world to discuss the best ways to use Apple products. The event, which preceded the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference in San Diego, showcased how agencies can benefit from using Apple products for law enforcement purposes. Apple’s collaboration with law enforcement agencies goes beyond just the conferences, with previously unreported projects focused on helping police use iPhones, Macs, Apple Vision Pro, and CarPlay for their work.
Apple’s collaboration with police may seem contradictory to its pro-privacy image, but it reflects a multi-billion-dollar industry focused on creating tech for law enforcement. The company’s work with law enforcement agencies, which includes conferences, meetings, and projects helping police use Apple technology, has grown its public safety market share in targeted markets worldwide. The collaboration with police agencies, particularly in California, has led to the development and testing of apps on various Apple products, from Vision Pro to iPhones and Macs, for access to surveillance data and basic communications.
Though Apple’s Global Police Summit may not continue in the future, police agencies are still eager to increase their use of Apple tools. The cancellation of the 2024 event has left some police departments disappointed, with hopes that Apple will reconsider hosting the summit in the future. Despite the uncertain future of the summit, police departments are eager to continue collaborating with Apple and exploring new ways to leverage Apple products for law enforcement purposes.
Apple’s collaboration with police agencies has extended to exploring the use of CarPlay in police vehicles, turning the entertainment dashboard into an iOS screen for accessing police data and updating the department with incident updates. The interest in using Apple CarPlay by police agencies, particularly in California, highlights the potential safety benefits and efficiency gains that can be achieved by integrating Apple products into police operations. As Apple’s approach to working with police departments evolves, there is a continued interest in leveraging Apple technology for enhancing law enforcement capabilities.
Despite the potential tension between Apple’s pro-privacy image and its collaboration with law enforcement, the company’s work with police agencies reflects a growing trend of tech companies partnering with law enforcement for surveillance and policing purposes. The collaboration, which includes conferences, meetings, and projects helping police use Apple products, demonstrates the complexity of balancing user privacy with law enforcement needs. As Apple’s relationship with law enforcement continues to evolve, the company faces the challenge of navigating the delicate balance between providing tech for surveillance operations and maintaining its commitment to user privacy.
