No, they were not. They said "whether or not..". That does not imply Apple did anything.
In this case, it doesn't matter whether or not Apple even had a hand in it. The issue is that security exploits are security exploits, regardless if intentionally designed or not.
In this case, it doesn't matter whether or not Apple even had a hand in it. The issue is that security exploits are security exploits, regardless if intentionally designed or not.