From the orginal linked reporting, it appears that previously Apple would accept a subpoena subpoena issued by police departments and law enforcement agencies with no judicial oversight. Under the new policy there has to be a court order or a search warrant, both of which have to be approved by a judge.
This feels like a tightening to me. https://techcrunch.com/2023/12/13/apple-push-notifications-government-warrant/
Go on ….