This complaint makes me feel like it's as simple as that. Apple just fears China.
HN readers might be surprised at the extent of modded-iOS-app communities (just like APK communities for Androids) that manage to exist within the meager 7-day signing window Apple allows a free-tier developer account. Tools like AltStore and ReProvision are the standard for sideloading and renewing (respectively) legitimate jailbreak-entrypoint apps:
https://github.com/rileytestut/AltStore
https://github.com/Matchstic/ReProvision
Even for un-jailbroken devices there are entire alternative ecosystems based around sideloading modded/pirated apps. They are obviously full of pirated stuff, usually work by abusing an enterprise cert from an endless list of Chinese companies (not insinuating anything bad, just firsthand experience), and they probably have some nasty malware mixed in here and there as well. Zero endorsement for any of these examples from the first page of a DDG search, but you get the idea:
https://sideload.tweakboxapp.com/
https://www.valuewalk.com/2019/04/spotify-up-tweakbox-users-...
You think that's the reason, since 2007 (and every year after) when Apple also didn't allow sideloading apps? It seems a little fanciful, at best.
This lawsuit.
> Preventing side-loading improves iOS device security
Yes, this is true. Welding the doors to your house shut also improve security. But it does so at the expense of usability. There is a reasonable trade off between usability and security and Apple makes an unreasonable choice.
Apple’s lack of side loading not only protect the users from malware, but it could also serve as the perfect weapon for the US government to make it near impossible for a company/nation to compete in the mobile app sector. That’s likely why 40%-Tencent owned Epic engaged in a desperate PR lawsuit to try to make it possible to side-load apps.