> Apple been tightening that control over time. For a long time on MacOS X you could simply run apps. Then came notarisation, but you could still disable it. Now, even with a certificate, it still shows a dialog.

Notarisation is just proof that the app went through an automated malware scan.

Windows, Mac, and Android have all adopted measures intended to warn and attempt to protect users from malware.

As far as age verification goes, this is a restriction being forced on companies by governments.

Apple previously allowed parents to set age restrictions on their children, or not, as they saw fit.

Apple was clear that they were offering the safety of a walled garden from the start.

Apple didn't lie about supporting a user's freedom to run anything they like, only to execute a rug pull after they successfully drove the other open options out of the marketplace.