I disagree. Censoring everyone and even further shutting down a critical infrastructure like app stores during an election means you have to wonder if that government is doing more harm than good.
Apps and updates to apps. If much of the internet is crippled already, targeting app stores and YouTube could be seen to be limiting options effectively for users.
With app stores blocked, what prevents the government from blocking messaging apps next, as they won't have ways of providing updates to users? I'm referring to Telegram and what they've previously done to try circumvent blocking techniques.
The stock apps include a web browser, email client, and more. Sure, the apps are what make the phone, but to say you can’t do anything on a stock iPhone is a lie. And for those inclined enough, there’s AltStore for sideloading.
You do need an Apple account and constant connection to Apple servers to be able to sign development and AltStore apps - I assume for a govt that wants to block the store, blocking auth or signing servers is just one more line on a memo.
But of course you're right - you can use the web fine, provided the modern web apps you're using aren't crippled by Apple's slow API adoption in Safari, which is of course to drive you to the better experiences that are waiting for you in the hypothetically accessible App Store.
I remember when building an Android app back in 2012-2014, that if it had in-app purchases, it seemed to have to go through the Play Store. I wonder if banning the Play Store will hinder apps that rely on in-app payments.
Third party apps can handle payment however they want (e.g. gambling apps) but I would expect apps downloaded from the play store not to work if they are connect via play services
While you might consider software that runs on the internet to be part of the internet itself, not being able to run some of the software doesn't mean you can't access the internet.
A little bit less pedantically though, while this is certainly a blow to internet freedom, and not a good thing, I think most of us would agree (at least in the long-term) that access to the web is more important to freedom that a collection of proprietary apps.
Many banks don't provide HTTP endpoints (except for business versions). My bank, Monzo, does not. My other bank TSB does provide a website, but it's awful.
internet access should be enough