Just so I'm clear, this article's contention is that, because Apple doesn't restrict in-app browsers in the same way they do iOS Safari, they're just pretending to be mad at Facebook?

Apple has been all about contradictions, and somehow that works for them. They strategically make a big deal about things, and then when silently does what every company is doing. The impressive part is they get away with it.

For instance, everybody thinks Apple hates advertising, esp user-tracking. The interesting thing is Apple themselves run a $6B+ ads businsess, which does first-party user tracking - which is the nuance.

Similarly, if Apple truely wanted user privacy, they'll outright ban Facebook from their platform.

Or most egregious is Apple "stands up to government" (famously with FBI) but is more than happy to bend the knee to Chinese government, or most recently with the gold plaque with Trump.