Apple’s podcast app will share statistics/analytics with creators and advertisers - how to opt-out (protect privacy)?
This only affects iOS11 which is currently in beta (actually, only beta 2 has been released at this time).  

We don't know if Apple will allow users to opt-out of this type of info-sharing with podcasters in the final shipping version of the OS.

The answer, for now, is no, you can't opt-out of this info sharing.  When the final version is shipped, this answer should be updated.