This theory only works if you consider that there is only a single distribution of Linux, which there is not. If Canonical start this stuff with Ubuntu then somebody else can (and will) set up an alternative.

The problem with Windows is that Microsoft control it totally. There is no way out.

Although Google control android, they only do so with the permission of the userbase. I run LineageOS on my phone (no gapps) and although Google are the gatekeepers of what goes into AOSP if they become problematic then the opportunity is there for somebody to take what we already have and carry on in a different direction.