Core values never changed. You can ask the Firefox development team at their mailing list why they decided to go with Pocket instead of building their own solution based on Firefox Sync (which is now called Firefox Accounts).

If the ToS and practices from Read It Later or any other partner are beyond what you consider valid or good, you can always reach Mozilla through the user voices channel and the development mailing list. The Advocacy group would also probably want to hear more about your concerns. One can direct criticism into positive changes. Mozilla is what we make of it, you can help make it better by helping the processes if you don't agree with them.