They won’t be able to save all the EU side loaders who give credit card details to Iamalegitcompanypromise Bahamas Limited.
What a silly comment. People make all sorts of transactions outside of the Apple world (Amazon, physical stores etc) and most of us are getting along just fine. The fact they've convinced you they've been protecting you is just faulty logic on your part.
It reminds me of an old Simpsons episode where a single bear is spotted outside of town. In a panic the town creates a "bear patrol" and puts Homer in charge. He declares the Bear Patrol successful since no more bears have been spotted in town. Lisa try's to explain to him that no bears had been spotted before so the fact there are no bears now has nothing to do with the Bear Patrol. She picks up a random rock and tells him
Lisa - "By your logic this rock is keeping Lions away since we don't see any lions"
Homer - "How much for your rock?"
Lisa - "Dad, you're missing the point"
Homer - "I'll give you $100"
Lisa - "Dad, you don't get..."
Homer - "$500!!!"
Lisa sighs and in a defeated tones says "deal..."
My point is Apples walled garden is just a very very profitable bear patrol.