Apple can only stand up to the US government when it comes to privacy and security. They will refuse to unlock a terrorist's iphone when FBI requests it. They can do this because of the fundamental liberty everybody is granted in the US to everybody. The real test of character is how a company reacts to an authoritarian regime like China. That's what reveals the true nature.

And Apple has completely shit the bed in this regard. Google has handled it so much more beautifully.