That could be taken to mean anywhere between "Apple controls the software on your iPhone, therefore they control your contacts" and "Apple gives out your data like the data brokers mentioned in the OP". The former wouldn't be surprising at all, and most people would be happy with, and the latter would be scandalous if proven. What specifically are you arguing for?
Remember, the big celebrity photo leak happened because of a vulnerability within Apple Software.
>The images were initially believed to have been obtained via a breach of Apple's cloud services suite iCloud,[1][2] or a security issue in the iCloud API which allowed them to make unlimited attempts at guessing victims' passwords.[3][4] Apple claimed in a press release that access was gained via spear phishing attacks.[5][6]
Regardless of their security practices, it's a stretch to equate getting hacked with knowingly making available data. Moreover you can opt out of icloud backup, unlike with whatever is happening with apps mentioned in the OP.
Its not. Apple still owns your stuff. There is no difference between Apple and other 3p retailers. Apple just wants more of your money.