If Apple’s “walled garden” is holding back innovation, there should be a lot of innovative, successful third party products that are available for Android that aren’t available for iOS.
Those are the only two platforms we can compare right now when it comes to the “open” vs “closed” debate.
If there are not much innovations happening on other platforms then why are Apple afraid to allow side loading?
Your original point about profits and freedom makes sense now. If Apple allowed side loading or other stores then its profits would decrease. There would companies who would like to bypass that 30% cut. So yes your point is correct its all about profit rather then privacy or freedom.
The only companies that are forced to pay the 30% cut are the game developers for loot boxes and magic diamonds.
So Android users knew they were making a choice to install privacy invading apps? Not to mention all of the spyware that you can install on someone else's phone?