Why are you conjuring up this unprecedented hypothetical?

Because it doesn't seem implausible? Apple allowing side-loading is unprecedented, we can't say from experience how companies will respond to the ability to side-load.

The closest analog we have is Android, where side-loading is permitted. Google Play is much more lenient than the App Store, so there's less incentive for companies to make their apps sideload-only than on iOS, yet some companies have already done it. Alternative software stores are also a thing there.

I'm also not against side-loading. I think, as the owner of the device, I should be able to put software on it without Apple's permission. My only point here is that there are ways in which people who don't have to may be forced into side-loading software, meaning "just don't side-load if you don't want" is too simplistic.

> Say Facebook pulls WhatsApp from the app store and makes it only available via side-loading.

Say a meteorite hits the Earth and we all die.

In a completely hypothetical scenario there are much worse things that can happen than Facebook voluntarily pulling WhatsApp from the App store, forcing their users to side-load the gaining nothing on the permissions side of the bargain while at the same time losing a majority of their users or even more probably having users that won't update to the newer versions of it.

An unattractive decision is still a decision you can make.

If you believe so strongly that you shouldn't sideload applications, you absolutely have the choice to not do it. It may not be a choice that you like, but it is a choice available to you. Which I think is what's so wonderful about this whole situation. It's opening up options that were previously unavailable.

Besides, this kind of Sophie's Choice has been around forever. Your friends all use Facebook Messenger but you're morally against Meta. Do you compromise your principles so you can see gifs your friends post or do you stand your ground and potentially miss out?

It's just a variation on another theme that's been around for ages. Only this time it actually adds exciting possibilities rather than a binary 'use' or 'don't use' choice.

There's a potential that someone who's currently using some app without side-loading won't have the opportunity to keep using the app without side-loading as a result of a decision to allow side-loading. That means "this decision doesn't affect you, just keep using apps without side-loading" isn't a valid statement.

You're right that everyone will technically always have the choice not to side-load. Just like everyone technically has the choice to not own a phone in the first place. It's the "it doesn't affect you whatsoever" part I take issue with.

Facebook isn't pulling any of their apps from the App Store. That's just baseless fear mongering.