Yes, degoogled ROMs should be immune to this, GrapheneOS is all about security and they wouldn't implement such a pseudo security feature If people want to sideload apps, they most likely know what they're doing, they don't need Google to watch over their shoulders, and even if they don't, it's their device.. they should be allowed to damage it since they bought with their own money And yes like you said this gives them the ability to dictate which apps people can sideload, they could still kick developers out of the program because let me guess: "their app doesn't meet the required security standards" or or... "their apps promotes hateful misconduct"

Every new phone someone in your family or circle of friends buys should be at least running Lineage. Better Graphene. If that's not the case you should ask yourself what kind of friend you are. We retreated from other people's lives as if it is not our business whilevconglomerates and statists stepped in. As soon as someone is communicating with youbit is your fucking business to make it as secure and private as you can.