You're not wrong that the people who read Hacker News do not represent the average iPhone user. But then again, Average Jane and Joe are already used to bullshit PR speak that attempts to downplay issues, and will see through most of it.
Apple could have written "Google is correct that the bugs existed for 2 years, but Google as well as us only found evidence that the bugs were actually exploited for a total of about two months and targeted a very narrow group of specific users." and so on.
Instead they opted for a "Google is lying about us!!1! They are IMPLYING THINGS".
If a company as big as Apple with well stocked legal and PR departments publishes a press release like that, my mind immediately goes to "what are they trying to hide or downplay".
Apple could have written "Google is correct that the bugs existed for 2 years, but Google as well as us only found evidence that the bugs were actually exploited for a total of about two months and targeted a very narrow group of specific users." and so on.
Instead they opted for a "Google is lying about us!!1! They are IMPLYING THINGS". If a company as big as Apple with well stocked legal and PR departments publishes a press release like that, my mind immediately goes to "what are they trying to hide or downplay".