Why not both? I would consider an email provider that one, didn't run an ad network, and two didn't scan my emails at all a huge feature. Neither Google nor Apple fit both criteria however.

This doesn't have anything to do with the technical capabilities of each company, it has to do with the fact that my and Google's interests are not aligned. Google, like every other company, is going to do what benefits them the most and there's nothing wrong with that. But when what benefits them doesn't benefit me I have reconsider using their services.