I’m not even surprised this turned into a privacy debate full of misinformation, especially given what happened last month. This is not the kind of thing Apple would even make a part of iOS itself, it’ll be an app that you can download or not (assuming it actually comes out, which there is a chance it never will because after all, it is just a research study - some of them go absolutely nowhere). So anyone concerned about privacy shouldn’t be because believe it or not, you don’t have to use it.
I think this will be huge if it ever comes out. So many autistic children grow up undiagnosed, and if this can be used to help them get an actual diagnosis quicker (which is what this was made to even do), that will allow them to get the help and support they need much quicker. Undoubtedly a win.