Text link size in mobile

I have a debate with my team about the size of text links on mobile. On one side are standards of accessibility and minimum tap sizes for fingers. On the other is Apple.com sign-in page where we have rather small targets for forgot the password or apple id.

So there argument is that if Apple makes these implementations in their text links, so why can't we do the same way, in some other scenarios.

Well, I do know that it all depends on the context of the links. But I can't understand the reasoning behind Apple.com's sign-in use case. They do have the space to make them accessible to tap without misleadings.

Another mystery for me is the footer text links use case.

Why there are made so small for the finger to tap without misleading to a not intended destination. What are the exceptions when you should opt for this kind of inaccessibility?