You are saying a lot of words but none of them negate the point that Apple has a better security posture for users than any of the other big tech cos. For any meaningful definition of the word "security."
Sure I use gmail, I've been locked in for 15 years. Someday I'll get fed up enough to bite the bullet and move off it.
> Apple has a better security posture for users than any of the other big tech cos. For any meaningful definition of the word "security."
Apple can push updates and change the rules on your device at any time. Rooted Android works better in that regard: you can still use Google stuff on rooted devices. Also I don't think Apple's security posture for users in China is better than every "other big tech co."
The takeaway for me is that Apple's storytelling is really good. They are doing a good job on taking leadership on a limited set of privacy issues that you can convince busy people to feel strongly about. Whether or not that objectively matters is an open question.
> "can someone see that I've installed an app"
You say preferences and you didn't say what you mean. One meaning of the word preferences: what if you installed Grindr?