Over the past few years, I’ve come to genuinely admire how far Apple and Google have pushed the world toward stronger privacy and security.

Their efforts have not only reshaped user expectations but also forced the entire tech industry to rethink how data is handled, stored, and protected. Their frameworks — from Apple’s App Tracking Transparency to Google’s Privacy Sandbox — have raised the bar for what users expect in terms of trust and control.

These frameworks didn’t just appear overnight; they were the result of years of advocacy, user demand, and a growing recognition that privacy is not a luxury but a necessity in the digital age.

But as someone working in privacy-preserving AI, I’ve also seen the other side of this progress: access. This is where the narrative gets complicated. While these safeguards are undeniably beneficial for users, they also create an unintended consequence: they can stifle the very innovation that aims to enhance privacy further.

The paradox of privacy

Every new safeguard limits who can access sensitive device signals — including notifications, app usage, and network patterns. That’s good for users. After all, no one wants their personal data to be exploited or mishandled. These protections ensure that users have more control over their digital footprints, which is a significant step forward in an era where data breaches and misuse are all too common.

Yet, in practice, these restrictions mean the same companies that set the rules also keep privileged access for themselves. This creates a dynamic where only a handful of players—those with the resources and influence to shape these frameworks—can fully leverage the data they collect. Smaller players, even those with innovative solutions, are often left on the sidelines, struggling to gain the access they need to prove their concepts.

Also Read: How to build customer trust with improved data privacy

Independent innovators — the ones building privacy-enhancing technologies that never move or expose data — often can’t even demonstrate their models because the APIs are closed. This is particularly frustrating because these innovators are often the ones pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in privacy-preserving tech. Without access to the necessary tools and data, their potential contributions remain untapped.

It’s a strange paradox: we protect privacy by preventing the very people designing privacy-safe systems from proving their value. In essence, we’re creating a system where privacy is protected, but only for those who already have power. The innovators who could help democratise privacy are left struggling to gain a foothold.

The bigger picture

Regulators have started to notice this imbalance. Regulators have started to notice this imbalance. This is a positive sign, as it indicates that the conversation around privacy is evolving beyond just protection to include fairness and accessibility.

• The EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) now classifies large platform owners as “gatekeepers” who must support interoperability and fair access to the data business users generate.
• Singapore’s PDPA and AI Governance Framework name Federated Learning, Multi-Party Computation, and Differential Privacy as key enablers of responsible data use.
• Global standards bodies such as OECD and NIST are defining what trustworthy privacy-preserving collaboration looks like.

These developments aren’t about punishing Big Tech. Rather, they’re about creating a more equitable digital ecosystem where innovation isn’t stifled by monopolistic practices. They’re about ensuring that privacy doesn’t become a monopoly, reserved only for those who own the operating system. The goal is to foster an environment where privacy is a shared responsibility, not a privilege reserved for a select few.

Also Read: How to unlock possibilities through data privacy enhancing technologies

A personal reflection

I don’t write this to criticise Apple or Google; their leadership in privacy has influenced how users perceive digital trust. In fact, their contributions have been instrumental in shifting the industry toward a more user-centric approach to data privacy. Without their efforts, we might still be in a world where user data is treated as a commodity rather than a right.

However, progress in technology should be inclusive, not exclusive. Inclusivity in this context means ensuring that the tools and frameworks designed to protect privacy are accessible to all innovators, not just those who already have a seat at the table. If we truly believe that privacy is a universal right, then access—guided by transparency and compliance, not control—must be part of that vision.

Because privacy shouldn’t be a privilege, it should be a fundamental right that is accessible to everyone, regardless of their size or resources. It should be the foundation on which fair innovation is built.

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