Don't cry over it. I live in Europe so I'll get it but the thing is that Apple will most likely force people into some kind of bullshit certificate that you've to buy in order to be able to sideload.

If you read the legal document about side-loading then Apple could be considered in compliance if they just decided to create a “sideloading program” where you can apply and pay for a special certificate with a vetting process and a lot of restrictions (being a company over a certain size etc). Essentially the same as the current Enterprise program but extended to allow 3rd party stores and distribution of App to random users not part of the same organization.

The legislation won't stop them from doing this and it will effetely only be used by large companies that can go through the vetting process and pay the ridiculous amounts of money that Apple will be asking for.

How are they handling this? Would a VPN get you around it or is it based on where the service subscription is based?

5 eyes spy network countries. No surprise there.

Could enabling a VPN spoof apple to think your in a based country?

There is absolutely no correlation between profitability and countries forbidding sideloading.

Correlation with successful lobbying efforts on our part? Maybe. ~ Apple 🍏

Time to get a Brentrace, I guess.

Switch to android?

good to see an alternative-frontends enjoyer.

Honestly it could be that developing and maintaining these region-locked differences in OS might be more expensive than saving every last penny from not allowing piracy (which is the real deal for this fuss).

Big majority of android users don't sideload either, most people are so technically illiterate they don't really grasp the idea of an App Store overall, it's just a place for them the get an Instagram button on a new device

Thanks Nigel