Of course Apple collect data. The reason they wanted to prevent other apps from collecting data was so only they can use their data, and their ad network could have an advantage over the others.

Yes, they have an ad network, and want to significantly expand it: proton.me/blog/apple-ad-company, forbes.com/…/apples-ad-network-is-the-biggest-ben…, digiday.com/…/apples-expanding-ad-ambitions-a-clo…