Not wholly true. My mac ecosystem is currently blocking the download of a free app until I verify my CC information (which consists of entering the CCV for the hundredth time, but that's a separate rant).
Defiantly not totally true, I have multiple accounts on the mac store and I've never once been asked for a credit card, I download free apps via the store at will.
If that bothers you, you can always just download the app from the dev's website and not bother with the store completely.
What probably happened is that you have an existing expired CC on your account, so just remove it and continue on...
What is actually happening is my Apple account gets locked out about once a week (completely outside of my control), so they want me to verify everything again, even to make "free" purchases. A real PITA.
> you can always just download the app from the dev's website and not bother with the store completely
This makes a number of assumptions - namely that the developer has made the app available via their website (which is not common if they use in-app purchases).
If that bothers you, you can always just download the app from the dev's website and not bother with the store completely.
What probably happened is that you have an existing expired CC on your account, so just remove it and continue on...