> Why do we even bother to give any credence at all to company PR-provided explanations like this?

It's propaganda and it would be great if it didn't work, but it works at least partially. Someone who doesn't know anything about the subject will hear it and repeat it, someone will hear the repetition and give it credibility because it doesn't come directly from a company. I have heard the most stupid opinions from people that go directly against their interests. You don't need fancy algorithms to manipulate society, just perseverance.