AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson claimed in an interview this week that HBO will gain access to viewer data from third-party distributors like the Apple TV. That claim contradicts Apple’s stance on consumer privacy.
Stephenson shared this information during an interview with CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin at the Fintech Ideas Festival on Wednesday. During the discussion, Stephenson claimed WarnerMedia’s deals with distribution channels like Roku and Apple’s upcoming “Channels” service will include access to view information.
Stephenson implied all deals made by WarnerMedia companies include some type of data sharing provision. He said access to customer data is “critical” and “foundational” to AT&T’s overarching media distribution strategy.
Sorkin asked if that specifically included Apple.
“Just pick the one you want to pick, we will have access to data,” Stephenson said. “It’s critical to everything we’re trying to do. It’s critical to the content creation algorithm, it’s critical to advertising delivery, it’s critical to marketing. It’s really critical to everything we’re trying to do.”
Channels is a feature of the upcoming Apple TV feature that will allow customers to subscribe to premium channels directly from the TV app. In addition to HBO, Cinemax, Epix, Showtime, Starz, and other networks are on the app’s launch list.
Channels was introduced by Apple vice president Peter Stern. During the introduction, Stern stressed the Cupertino firm’s dedication to user privacy.
“The Apple TV app delivers on all these principles, including out commitment that we won’t share your personal information with anyone,” said Stern.
Apple TV channels is set to debut in May, alongside the scheduled update to the TV app.