Yeah, and we have to remember that Americans might not be the true literal-target audience for this. Catching a few CP creeps in the USA might be sort of like a field demonstration of a weapons system. After the demo the system goes on sale to its true customers, namely regimes with "re-education camps" or who like to dispose of critical journalists with bone saws.

Many other American companies have done business with totalitarian regimes over the years. Maybe there's too much money in that market for Apple to pass up. Given the growth of totalitarian strong men across the world it's probably a growth market these days.

Payment may not be overt. It could also come in the form of access to markets. The deal might be that Apple must demonstrate the ability to help a regime hunt down dissidents before it can sell domestically, or they could be offered a break from otherwise onerous import or sales taxes.