Apple not having the data isn't dramatically more important than others not having the data, but having the data in fewer places is better for privacy (and the security thereof) and if "others follow suit" then they will start to not have that data. That said, Apple not having the data is more important than some players not having the data - there's more power in the consolidation of more kinds of data, and in a more complete picture of each kind of data, than in any individual datum in isolation - Apple touches large swathes of the lives of Apple users.
