Side question: Is it still true that if you work at Apple, you can't be doing side projects etc? I've heard some stories rules from Big tech companies specially Apple that they restrict heavily what can and can't be done even in your free time.
At least two years ago, yes. You're not barred from social media or blogging, but you can't do it about tech or contribute to Open Source work without very specific clearance.
Are most Applers even allowed to speak in forums like this one? Did OP follow the rules?
Based on what I know of the rules (which is out of date by roughly 10 years), no, OP did not follow them.
I don't know about others, but I feel that it must suck working for a company that is so closed that you can't even express yourself normally. And this while the company still reaps the benefits of society, like the results of hundreds of years of scientific advances, and of course open source software.
I've always found strange that we don't hear more about Apple in the comments here (tech, working conditions...), compared to other big companies. Are they so scared about Apple that they don't dare posting on an anonymous forum?
Well I just finished my internship so I'm more or less free, as long as I don't disclose anything confidential.