Your interpretation of events is a fundamental misunderstanding of how the permissions framework functions on iOS. That you then pivoted that misunderstanding into malevolent intentions from Apple speaks to your biases. Of course, given that you’re a member of this forum, I’d expect you’d find this behavior abhorrent when it comes to things like vaccination or COVID, so I’d only challenge you to think about whether you have all the facts, just as you would with any other contentious topic. The only difference here is that you don’t realize it’s contentious for you.
iOS programs shipped by Apple do not interact with the operating system in a different way with respect to privacy. Full stop. Your entire thesis, conclusion, and argument are not even remotely defensible in their falseness. There are no exemptions carved out in the operating system. First party apps with very few, SVP-documented exceptions (and usually for technical reasons) are held to the exact same standards that third parties adhere to during app submission.
I know this because at one time in my career it was my job to know. Don’t believe me? Reverse the apps.
Your allegation that Google Maps is targeted with engineering and architectural decisions is not supported by public evidence and wholly refuted by internal evidence.
I helped build Apple Maps. Please consider yourself uninformed and ask more questions rather than draw conclusions that affirm your biases, particularly if you then come here to spread them.