Because people value convenience or status over functionality.

People still see iPhones as status symbols and tout the convenience of the whole Apple ecosystem.

I have a S6. It works seamlessly with everything I have connected to it.

But people want that Apple logo. That's why every iPhone case has that hole in the back so the logo can be seen. That's why people put Apple stickers on their cars.

Apple could have their factory workers shit in a box and a certain subset of people would still buy that box. Knowing full well it was full of literal human shit.

So, Apple gets away with exploitative and abusive business practices.

Sure, other tech companies will do it as well, but Apple has an army of consumers ready to defend their exploitative and abusive business practices tooth and nail.

"But muh privacy!!"

I 100% gaurantee you Apple is doing shit with your data. They just haven't been caught yet.