No, this is not as simple as Meta calling internal APIs that can be detected. This is Meta developing tricky ways of identifying users from patterns of usage without regard to opt-in. If users consent, the app can use the Apple API to track. Easy. If users don’t consent, Meta tracks through tricks matching behavior stored on their servers.
This is Meta abiding by the letter of the Apple developer agreement but not the spirit of the agreement.
Yes, it is. It's just more manual.
Meta has repeatedly done this sort of thing. It's clear that Apple knows they're up to this stuff, and it's clear that Meta will continue to do it, and it's clear that Apple doesn't have the will to kill their apps over it.
Which they would absolutely do for an app you or I made.
Well, Apple did threatened to remove Facebook in the past, and they did get Meta to follow the rules back then
But, today, unfortunately I think you are right. If Apple bans Facebook, Meta will take the opportunity the EU has given them to start their own app store, which can have whatever privacy rules (read: none) they want.
I guess it's just another Brussels Effect.