> As far as I can tell, Apple doesn't rely on Google for anything. Yet there's nothing illegal about Apple blocking ads and trackers by default.

Pissing off Google is probably a risk for Apple. If it doesn't bring Apple anything, I don't see why it would be worth it. Let's be honest: almost nobody cares about privacy, and for the few who do, Apple is already better than many alternatives.

No need to make a good product, you just have to be slightly better than the other. And the bar is not very high.

> Hell, I'm surprised the EU hasn't mandated it yet.

Because whenever the EU tries to regulate TooBigTech, they get bullied.