So why is my Iphone 5s cable falling apart?

So I about a year and a half ago my junk apple brand lightning cable started falling apart at both ends on both my wife's phone and mine. Sadly the damage has become much worse even after a tried to repair the cable with electrical tape. The cables have practically dry rotted on both ends and one is so bad that there is no rubber anymore in the middle. The only thing left is the cable armor on one cord and that is even damaged with exposed wires. I have never seen cables disintegrate so fast. Even my old school flip phone chargers. The sad thing is that apple's response is that I can purchase a new one. No help there. Seriously...Apple cables are the most expensive and I am not paying high dollar for a cable that degrades so fast. Then apple won't allow us to use third party cables. I know it is not just me and my wife because my father law has the same issue with iphone. He had to apply electrical shrink wrap to fix his.

So how can we get put on a list to be notified for recalls on apple's lightning chargers? Or do we have to wait until someone gets shocked?

Disgruntled iphone owner.