Last I checked airplane mode does not disable GPS as it is a passive service. The phone will track your movement and then send it all next time you connect.

I can’t find any articles on it at this time. However, apple recently made it so that find my works with the phone off. My phone gives me warnings about this when I shut it down.

It probably involved an important TikTok or Instagram post they had to check in a timely manner.

If ignorance is bliss, you must be euphoric.