Lightning security is a dumb move by Apple, but entirely consistent with the modus operandi. Steve Jobs is gone, they don't need to control everything to this degree.
It's their prerogative to do it, our prerogative not to buy it or to buy any accessories we want.
I've got no special loyalty to Apple. I'm just a picky person, and Apple is the only manufacturer that pays attention to small details that I for some reason tend to notice when I use their products. But yes their closed system and micromanaging ways annoy me to no end, and the lightning cable "security" really is over the top. As soon as a better smartphone comes out, I'm ready to jump ship, but Android has several flaws in it that I see from a usability perspective.
But for a charging cable, it should be pretty commoditized soon. I've used cables that are fine and 1/3 the price, so no need to get a lightning cable. You just have to do your research to see which of the knockoffs perform like knockoffs and which ones perform like the real deal.