Cynically, I would say I also had a deep belief that Apple would respect user privacy because Apple and Google are in a fight over control over the internet and

Cynically, I would say I also had a deep belief that Apple would respect user privacy because Apple and Google are in a fight over control over the internet and your whole life. Google goes at it by giving away free shit then making billions off your data, Apple goes at this by making billions off hardware and software. From that point of view respecting user privacy is Apple's most powerful weapon in their fight against Google since its a place that Google simply cannot go.