D&B are used by most businesses for both verification and a credit rating for the business. It's not specifically tied to Apple unless something changed recently but I would have no doubt that Apple utilize them. For example I had to use our companies D&B number to get SSL certificates from Digicert/Geotrust.
If they are selling their customers information that should be directed to the privacy and legal departments of every company that uses them.
If they are selling their customers information that should be directed to the privacy and legal departments of every company that uses them.