"Privacy. That's iPhone." – and Other Things That Need an Asterisk (blog.ppb1701.com)

The article argues that Apple’s “privacy” messaging is selectively true: it describes real privacy improvements like App Tracking Transparency and on-device processing, but contends the core benefits are underwritten by deals that route default behavior (like Search) through surveillance-advertising infrastructure Apple profits from. It also criticizes iOS “permission” claims around third-party services, citing alleged workarounds and tracking techniques used by Meta, and claims Apple uses privacy/security framing to maintain ecosystem control. The piece further argues that iCloud storage design and UI friction steer users toward paid Apple storage while third-party alternatives face practical limits.