Apple CEO Tim Cook said technology companies need to take responsibility for the “chaos” they create

Apple CEO Tim Cook said Sunday in a commencement address at Stanford University that technology companies need to take responsibility for the “chaos” they create.

He did not name specific companies in his speech, but referenced several reasons that tech firms, particularly social media platforms, have come under scrutiny in recent months. He also made an apparent reference to embattled health startup Theranos.

“Lately it seems this industry is becoming better known for a less noble innovation – the belief you can claim credit without accepting responsibility,” Cook said, according to videos posted online of his speech.

“We see it every day now with every data breach, every privacy violation, every blind eye turned to hate speech, fake news poisoning out national conversation, the false miracles in exchange for a single drop of your blood,” he added. “Too many seem to think that good intentions excuse away harmful outcomes, but whether you like it or not, what you build and what you create define who you are.

“It feels a bit crazy that anyone should have to say this, but if you built a chaos factory, you can’t dodge responsibility for the chaos,” Cook continued.