Earlier quoted context omitted.
You mean like Visa and MasterCard? Yes very unhealthy. Big entities shouldn’t control payments.
the difference is that there re dozens of CC companies which do not share information. Apple already has a lot more info on users then CCs do. edit Apple knows a lot about you IF you use apple products. Didn't think this would be a controversial point :)
Apple has nearly nothing on you. Amex knows what I buy, when, and where.