Apple is not a dumb company, they did this fully knowing of the backslash they would receive, very likely impacting their bottom line. Two scenarios come to min

Apple is not a dumb company, they did this fully knowing of the backslash they would receive, very likely impacting their bottom line. Two scenarios come to mind: 1. They expect must people will shrug and let themselves be scanned. That is, this privacy invasion will result in minimal damage to the Apple brand, or 2. They know privacy-savvy people will put them from now on on the same league with Android, and they are prepared to take the financial loss. Scenario 1 is the most plausible, though it hints an impish lack of consideration for their customers. Scenario 2 worries me most. No smart company does something counter-productive financially unless under dire pressure. What could possibly make Apple shoot itself on the foot and announce it publicly? In other words, Apple's actions, from my perspective, look like a dead canary.