> Why are you using gut feeling to make decisions

I'm not using gut feeling to make decisions; I am sharing information with an appropriate "grain of salt" disclaimer attached.

>> I don't have time right now to look into this in detail

Repeated in case you missed it.

But since you took the time to call me out (thanks?), I will Google it for you:

https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/law-enforcement-guidelin... (September 29, 2015)

FaceTime communications are end-to-end encrypted and Apple has no way to decrypt FaceTime data when it is in transit between devices. Apple cannot intercept FaceTime communications. Apple has FaceTime call invitation logs when a FaceTime call invitation is initiated. These logs do not indicate that any communication between users actually took place. Apple has no information as to whether the FaceTime call was successfully established or duration of a FaceTime call. FaceTime call invitation logs are retained up to 30 days. FaceTime call invitation logs can be obtained with an order under 18 U.S.C. §2703(d) or court order meeting the equivalent legal standard or search warrant.

Are you kidding? You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy for product launches than that which is HackerNews. It doesn't much matter who is launching. The bigger they are, the more piss and vinegar you'll find in the comments. Apple and M$oft are certainly not immune to this.

If it makes you feel any better, I take care to shit on all of the spy-vertisers whenever possible, and think this kind of massive data collection should be illegal.

Assuming that it's true that they're always criticized for new products, it may be because they also sell a staggering breadth of other consumer products. We often see our Amazon search results on Web page ads for days after browsing on amazon.com. It's more obvious when you're being tracked and targeted by Amazon than by other consumer electronics manufacturers. (I wouldn't say I like it, but I'm OK with this contract so far.)

I have no idea why Google doesn't get more flak, but there is a higher level of privacy standard with Apple as they neither profit from user metadata (advertising) and are the most publicly visible torch-bearer for privacy among the big corps.

I don't trust anyone (even Apple) to have an always-on listening device in my house. Too many shades of 1984. If need be, I'll push a button on my phone/bt headset and query.

To be fair. We (at least I haven't) looked through everything he's said online. He might have given them equal shit as well in the past.