Apple has been quietly collaborating with police agencies from around the world through their Global Police Summit, held at their Cupertino headquarters. The most recent event took place over three days in October 2023 and involved 50 police department employees from seven countries. The conference included discussions on using Apple products such as the iPhone, Vision Pro, and CarPlay for surveillance and policing work. This collaboration has not been widely publicized, indicating Apple’s awareness of the potential conflict with their pro-privacy branding.
The relationship between Apple and law enforcement has evolved since the company’s refusal to assist the FBI in hacking into the iPhone of the San Bernardino shooter in 2015. Despite initial reluctance, Apple has increased its collaboration with police through conferences and meetings at their headquarters. Projects helping police use iPhones, Macs, Apple Vision Pro, and CarPlay have been developed, though not publicly announced. The U.S. police industry spends an estimated $100 billion annually, highlighting the potential market for tech companies like Apple.
Gary Oldham, who led Apple’s public safety strategy until August, organized and led the Global Police Summit, which has been described as highly collaborative by attendees. Participating police departments shared success stories and innovations, while Apple presented upcoming products and features beneficial for law enforcement. The event provided valuable insights for attendees, showcasing how agencies from around the world were using technology to advance policing efforts.
The use of Apple products by police agencies has been most prevalent in California, with several local agencies actively implementing Apple technology in their operations. Vision Pro VR headsets have been tested by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the LAPD for surveillance and emergency response. CarPlay, which turns a car’s dashboard into an iOS screen, is also being explored as an alternative to in-car laptops by police agencies in Orange County and Los Angeles. The interest in utilizing Apple products for policing purposes remains high despite the potential cancellation of the Global Police Summit.
While Apple’s approach to collaborating with police departments may be changing, with the potential for the Global Police Summit to become a biennial event, law enforcement agencies are hopeful for continued partnership with the tech giant. The cancellation of the 2024 event has disappointed police departments, who see the summit as a valuable opportunity for learning and networking. Despite the uncertainty surrounding future collaborations, police remain interested in leveraging Apple’s technology to enhance their operations and improve public safety.
