Hardware-wise, they are top! Privacy-wise, they've done plenty, but there is significant improvemens to be made!

I appreciate the alert when an app tries to grab my contacts/calendar/location.

On the other hand I DO NOT appreciate, when an app (e.g. British Airways) always informs Facebook, Google Analytics, tens of other trackers, that I am using the app, and I am left in the no-mercy of those folks, and Apple is not helping me to protect my privacy.

This is why an iPhone is only good when it's jailbroken (replace hosts file, install ProtectMyPrivacy, install Firewall IP -yes it works on 10.2-)

The last time I went to pick up a product (AirPods) it required government issued photo ID (Australian driver's license), even though I had the Apple Store app which made the purchase installed on my phone.

That's an issue with Australian law, not Apple. You can also buy such devices overseas.

Ah, thanks. What sorts of purchases in Australia require ID?

Anything over 10,000 AUD (about 8,000 USD) purchased with cash. AirPods are expensive but not _that_ expensive.

My guess is that they paid online for in-store pickup, and Apple asked for ID to confirm they're the one that made the purchase. In which case that's an Apple thing, not a government thing.

Bought my AirPods from Apple in the UK: no ID required.

Bought my iPhone 6S from Apple in Ausralia: ID required under Australian law.

Very likely the person also bought a phone with a sim/service, hence being asked for ID (under Australian law.)

None (well, some medicine, firearms probably, that sort of thing, not headphones). This is entirely on Apple.

Bought my AirPods from Apple in the UK: no ID required.

Bought my iPhone 6S from Apple in Ausralia: ID required under Australian law.

Very likely the person also bought a phone with a sim/service, hence being asked for ID (under Australian law.)

Well, that sucks. So much for privacy, in Australia anyway.

In Australia, do you need to show ID when you buy random electronics for cash? If you pay cash in an Apple Store, do you need to show ID?

Buying Apple hardware used, at swap meets etc, seems the best option. As long as it's not been stolen, anyway. But you can test for that, before paying.

No, there is not requirement to show ID when buying electronics in Australia. I suspect that GP's experience was due to them collecting a pre-purchase, and Apple stores having some sort of policy around verifying the purchaser in order to prevent theft.