Apple fixed a loophole after the whole Cambridge Analytica thing (as did Google and Facebook), but only because of the optics and potential legal response, not because they care about protecting you. They knew full well that data was being used, but did nothing, until they had to.
The other quotes speak of how someone requested all the data being collected by Apple from them, and after a long wait and some teeth pulling, got some very revealing metadata but zero information on who got it. You can bet it wasn't just given away, either. They're not going to collect information on who you call and what you send for themselves. That's very valuable information that gathers top dollar by third parties all over. Don't think they became the tech juggernaut they are today by hoarding all that valuable info on you and your habits.
Ok so, speculation, and more speculation. So not hard fact. Thanks again.
You place intent on Apple's side that you have no idea if they are true. Can you please point me to where it was said or proven that Apple knew about the loophole and purposely didn't fix it until the Cambridge scandal?
Again, more speculation on your side regarding how they became a tech juggernaut. Please tell me what is Apple’s business model? I'll help you, they sell computers, software and electronics devices (smartphones, watches, speakers, etc). This is the reason they became the tech juggernaut they are today (while not innovating, they did some of these products better, like the smartphones business which made them the company they are today).
Can you tell me what is Google Business model? Let me help you. They do a free search engine, free email client, free social platform, free internet browser, free office suite documents, free file storage... So how can they be making all of that money and be one of the richest companies in the world? Ah right, they provide all of these "free" tools to users, then use the information by the users who used them to sell to marketing company. That's the core of their business model. And if you look what was added after, developed the Android Os for smartphones (giving them access to more information), Google assistance (let analyze what people request to that and resell that information to the marketing firm).
Now let's look at the App Store. On apple front, all app needs to be submitted for approval before showing up on the store. This includes looking for malware and scanning them for breach of privacy. I know what you will have to say, some apps did end up in the App Store that used the app to access personal information. You are right, but when these were found, they were immediately removed from the App Store. The Play store for Google, for years it was a free-for-all, no supervision by Google. Anyone could put anything in there and it could be a virus, Trojan horse and they could literally steal anything from you. At some point, Google was pressured and now they added a review process for submission. Still, it can take days for apple to review your app before approving it, it takes only hours for Google. Everyone will say Apple is a lot more strict when it comes to reviewing and approving apps VS Google.
You know partially why Siri sucks compared to Google Assitance and Alexa? It's because Whatever you ask Siri is analyzed by your device only. In Google and Alexa(Amazon) cases, every time you request something to them, your query is sent to their server farm (cloud), analyzed, recorded, and then the reply is pushed down to your phone/speaker. They can do more because they can leverage the power of their "cloud server farm" but in the process, it helps them store all that information to be analyzed and resold. Apple doesn't do this so their "siri" is more limited because your request is not sent to apple. You can read Siri's white paper document on the apple website which explains the process. I work in IT and had to deal with Google in the past to get some analytic information so although not an expert, I do know a little of what they offer and sell.
I'm sure apple do look at some of the information, but they just don't resale them as much as the others who it's their core business to do so. Apple is also levering their "privacy" as one of the main features of their product and they know they have the edge versus the competition on this. Sure, you have to be aware that some information will be captured when you use a smartphone, but as a consumer and let say I buy an apple product, I expect apple to do some of that information. But as I consumer, I "choose" apple so I accept they will see some information. On the Google side, you just don't know who will end up with your information and how it will be used.
Now let's take a look at both privacy website:
http://www.apple.com/privacy: Tell you from the get go that your information is not used, provides charter, explain how your information is protected, provide a transparency report with Goverment requests for information,etc.
Google:
https://safety.google/privacy/ : Tell you straight from the get go they will be using your information and goes to tell you which one, etc.
