OP's point is that it's not, which is why Apple is begrudgingly allowing it. But...

		int_19h on Jan 17, 2024 \| parent \| context \| favorite \| on: US developers can offer non-app store purchasing, ... OP's point is that it's not, which is why Apple is begrudgingly allowing it. But if they could make you use apps for everything instead of a browser, they would. And they'd use all the same arguments they do today wrt not allowing sideloading etc to justify it.