Tim Cook and Japanese PM Kishida Discussed User Privacy, Digital 'My Number' IDs, and More

According to a new report, Tim Cook met with the Prime Minister of Japan to discuss the App Store, Apple's investments in Japan, and features that could be used in the future.

All Japanese residents are issued a digital version of Japan's My Number identification card. He wants Cook to allow the cards to be added to the wallet app, similar to the way IDs are used in the U.S.

The My Number cards have a person's 12-digit ID number. Only 49 percent of Japan's population have signed up to receive the cards. Adding my number cards to the wallet app could encourage more people to use the system, but some have privacy concerns.

Japan wants to use the My Number cards to store all kinds of personal information, from health insurance data to banking info, and they feature the user's photo, name, address, and date of birth.

Apple has "strong concerns" over the handling of My Number IDs, but Cook said he would work on it. He urged Kishida to make sure that regulations surrounding app distribution don't undermine the privacy and security of iPhone users.

The Japanese government wants Apple to allow third-party app stores in order to get rid of their control over the market. Apple said in a statement that it would work with the Japanese government. Japan is preparing a final report on Apple's App Store rules, gathering opinions from the public and holding ongoing discussions, so it's not surprising that Cook is trying to sway Kishida to abandon legislation that Apple believes would undermine the security of the App Store.

Cook pointed out that Apple has invested more than $100 billion in Japanese supply chains over the last five years and that it will continue to make its Japanese investments a priority.