Apple CEO Time Cook spoke up at the White House Cybersecurity Summit on Friday about the grave importance of preserving online privacy in an era where stealing vital information has become easier than ever. He also made some veiled but derisive jabs at companies like Google and Facebook for selling user data, which he contends is a gross abuse of privacy.

“We have a straightforward business model that’s based on selling the best products and services in the world, not on selling your data,” said Cook on Apple’s privacy policies. “We don’t sell advertisers any information from your email content, from your messages, or your web browsing history.” Cook did not name any companies who might differ from Apple’s security policies, but many well-known tech giants have been criticized for selling user information.

The Summit, held at Stanford University, was attended by President Barrack Obama. Cook’s speech was also addressed to many other attending U.S. policy makers, as a reminder that the protection of privacy must also be considered in the government’s digital surveillance campaigns. “History has shown us that sacrificing our right to privacy can have dire consequences. Too many people do not feel free to practice their religion or express their opinion or love who they choose,” said Cook.

Cook was the first CEO of a major tech company to publically share that he is gay. He has been an advocate in the fight in his home state of Alabama to institute equal rights for individuals who identify as gay, lesbian, or transgender. “We live in a world in which [sensitive] information can make the difference between life and death,” he said. “If those of us in positions of responsibility fail to do everything in our power to protect the right of privacy, we risk something far more valuable than money — we risk our way of life.”

Cook asserted that, despite the threats to personal privacy, he believes that technology can be used as a tool to avoid those risks. “It is my sincere hope that by using them and by working together we will do so,” he added.