DDG's allure is that it doesn't track you. Apple has a track record of investing into not tracking you, so IMO acquisition by FANG might be doom for it but acquisition by `A` wouldn't be.
While Apple isn't as bad as the others, they're still morally bankrupt (e.g. supporting censorship, removing VPNs from the Chinese store, giving governments access to messages, email and other private stuff stored in the cloud). I sincerely hope (and believe) that DDG will never become evil like Apple.
In China all companies do this. Not having Apple there would not make things better for any freedom-loving Chinese, someone else would replace Apple and do exactly what the Gov wants.
So Apple is morally bankrupt because they operate in China and obey Chinese laws for Chinese jurisdiction?