The comparison to HN is wrong. Moderators would first have to read the comments and let them through.

My point is that even if moderators did read the comments and let them through, that wouldn't obviate the need, since moderators aren't perfect.

Part of Apple's argument in the Epic case was that their screening process mitigated the need for things like this.

This is essentially an admission that their review process has problems.

Apple admitted that? They've never claimed it's perfect. Just that it's better than not having it.

I think the charitable take is that the comment is in jest.

if we had to pay to submit comments and wait a few days or even weeks for it to go through the company's "stringent" rules before it is approved, then yes a flagging button is counterintuitive.

not really, you think it would be perfect? there are plenty of review systems that take literally years and still fail. If you're based in the USA you should be familiar with these.