There are entitlements on macOS that are not provided outside of the App Store, such as NetworkExtension API VPNs.

There is also no way to turn off the persistent, hardware-serial-number-based APNS connection to Apple, tracking the system from IP to IP whenever it's on, even when no apps are running.

You also can't wipe and restore a mac with filevault without an online reactivation from Apple, even if you have local bootable install media.

There are several concrete, technical advances toward the thing they are claiming not to be doing. macOS is indeed becoming more like iOS every release. It's not just unfounded paranoia.