I have also seen people go to Google.com on Safari to search.

There are a lot of options to block ads. I don’t pay for any apps and don’t see any ads on my Apple devices.

This isn’t new to Apple. A lot of companies want to save money so they offer to pay for your phone or give you some other incentive. In my previous job, people who were around for 10-15 years had given up their personal phone and were using company phone and number. When they left they took their work phone with them. They got a new phone every 24 months but they had to install the company MDM software so basically gave up their “privacy” to save money. The cellphone plans aren’t cheap so they probably saved $1000 per year just for cellular connection alone.

Every public WiFi is like this. iCloud relay doesn’t work on any airport or airplane WiFi. I need to always turn it off and other ‘hide IP’ settings. I have a Target with a dead zone and I’m sure T&C are the same. I just use it when I need it and don’t auto-connect. Walmart needs precise location to pick up from the app. Sam’s club app needs precise location for checkout form the app. Mcd app needs my precise location to give me deals. I wouldn’t say this is asshole design. Our regulation let them design it this way. I turn off my NextDNS and iCloud relay when I’m having issues and then turn back on. Nothing else you can do about it, apart from not using the WiFi or app, unfortunately.