Why should the legal system force Apple to do this? I get that it would prevent this type of scenario, but why should the the law care about this scenario at all?

Apple is arguably acting as a monopolist abusing its market position in violation of anti-trust laws. Apple takes a 30% cut on App Store purchases, potentially much higher than they would be able to if they didn't stifle competition. The Supreme Court recently ruled against Apple in Apple v. Pepper [1] on the question of whether purchasers of apps have standing to sue Apple. The case now goes back to the district court to decide the merits of the case.

[1] https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/18pdf/17-204_bq7d.pdf

Why should MS be forced to promote alternatives to IE?

MS had a monopoly on x86 operating systems, Apple does not have a monopoly on ARM operating systems.

How is this anything but a category error? Just as there are phones other than Apple's, there were computers other than Wintel boxes.

I see nothing wrong with society demanding more accountability from those with more economic importance.

> Just as there are phones other than Apple's, there were computers other than Wintel boxes

Well the specific numbers matter, don't they? Microsoft had a massive overwhelming monopoly whereas iOS has healthy competition in Android.

> I see nothing wrong with society demanding more accountability from those with more economic importance.

I don't disagree, but why should we specifically target Apple's app store rather than say, for example, passing a law that prohibits selling locked down hardware that prevents the user from installing whatever software they choose?

Because it's less healthy for capitalism, and the government cares how the economy does.

In theory, anything that increases competition is healthier for capitalism, but that doesn't mean that "anything that increases competition" should be mandated by law. Why should opening Apple's platform to other App Stores be mandated by law?

personally, i don’t want any more “stores”...

like social media,i don’t think we don’t need multiple committees and algorithms deciding to delist or not, what we need is a totally decentralized way to sign and notarize an app (to prove it doesn’t contain any malware etc) and provide it from ones own website (as an option)

worst case google changes their algorithm, you can still send an email, print and ad, make a poster for on the train whatever and people can go to your website etc

i would prefer that much more than relying on just app stores