I think this is the key part of the article: "Every time a state introduces a bill, Apple hires the most expensive lobbyists in the state to try to stop it, and

I think this is the key part of the article: "Every time a state introduces a bill, Apple hires the most expensive lobbyists in the state to try to stop it, and they were successful...". Corporate lobbying groups funded by large corporations exert massive control and influence over the US government at the state and federal level. They often write large sections of the bills that are ultimately passed and they fund the campaigns of the politicians they are attempting to influence and often provide them with jobs once their political careers are over. Regulatory capture is very much alive and well. As long as lobbyists have so much influence politicians will continue to use groups like family farmers and individual soldiers as political / advertising illusions while pumping money into the groups belonging to the men behind the curtain, massive corporate farms and defense contractors. This plays out over most large industries, tech included.