Developers are free to delete their apps from Apple's store ar any time. Yes, apps bolster their own pockets, but they also bolster the pockets of the developers themselves.
Devs might have deleted their apps from AppStore, but Apple literally doesn't allow to distribute software any other way, and even in the EU where it oretends to allow competing AppStores, it still interjects itself into the process
Apple owns ios, Apple owns the iPhone. It would make sense that those factions within Apple would still be involved even if the AppStore people are not.
"There are clearly Apple employees whose job is to build the iPhone product and ones who market it to consumers" does not in any way, shape, or form equate to "Apple ownes the iPhone (as the physical product that consumers buy)".
When you buy a table from IKEA, IKEA doesn't own it, and has no right to tell you which food you're allowed to eat on it.
Back in the real world Apple phones are made by Chinese subcontractors who do not work for Apple and who’s working conditions are so poor that people kill themselves at work on such a regular basis that they had to install suicide nets to just stop people of jumping out of windows.
