Thank you! It is definitely a misinterpretation. Apple makes https mandatory now and there is no way every developer would have to go through this process.
Debian's archive software used to send an automated mail to the US government every time a new package is accepted, just in case it involves crypto:
https://github.com/Debian/dak/blob/master/templates/process-...
(Looks like the government told them "Okay, okay, we don't care" at some point, but that was what they determined their legal obligation was after consulting with lawyers about what the law actually said.)