Wasn’t there some kind of rule that bad guys in TV shows cant have iphones?
Many other brands have similar rules on using their stuff, nothing special there.
No. Apple just doesn't give away free stuff for the bad guys. When producers enquiry apple if they can get devices without cost, apple only gives them for the good guys. If the bad ones should be seen on camera with iphones, the production has to buy them.
Phones are ridiculously cheap compared to shows and movies. That can't be it.
Maybe Apple pays for showing good guys with iphones, but not bad guys.