Personally I track the software Snowmen endorses and use that as a gauge. You can google that and compare the security features of software out there. The ones snowden uses are open source and have the most security features.
That doesn't say anything about Apple, but the idea that it is coordinated, given Cook's private life and his stance on privacy, seems slim to me. Note also that Apple was the last major company to be forceably joined into the Prism program. They've always been resistant.
The risk of coordinating an attempt would be huge. If info got out, there'd be irreparable damage to a massive company.
Maybe they have their price and literally billions of dollars could have made it happen, but I think it's pretty easy to understand how their success has instead come from attractive and effective products.
I have wondered before about whether intelligence organisations would be smart to co-opt/fund rising communications companies, but there'd be too many people that'd have to be kept quiet. Probably not practical.
Often people make less noise when really trying to get what they want. Sometimes noise is for other reasons. Not saying it's a conspiracy but jeeze.... enough already! We know, we know... Apple can be trusted 100% and are our bestest friends and even those mean governments can't come between us! We get it. And a few of us even might believe it.