macOS unable to open any non-Apple application

You've got to be kidding me. When Apple's servers are down, all Macs worldwide start freezing randomly? My XCode is hanging during builds, is this why?

This code signing enforcement stuff has gone way too far. Heads should roll for this.

Wait what happens if you don't have an internet connection? Can Macs not be used offline any more, surely that's still a relatively common use case for a laptop even today in a lot of places?

My understanding is that if you're offline, it skips this check and everything works fine. The reason this is a big deal is that the problem's on their end, so you're not offline, so it keeps trying and waiting instead of just letting you skip the check.

That still seems weird. Why does running unrecognized software become safe when you're off line?

It's a security theater

Thank you. Phrased perfectly.

It's an invasive restriction, cynically designed, poorly engineered and improperly managed, that impairs your ability to function.. masquerading as security.

macOS is my favorite OS, but I don't need to use it. I was so psyched reading about the new Macbooks, and I've had to walk all that excitement back now. I cannot invest in a computer that locks me out of my job if a cable gets cut by a maintenance crew in Cupertino.

I agree that it’s security theater and a suspect implementation, but I was playing a game of “let’s imagine why someone might do this...”—

I’m wondering, suppose it was designed this way because part of the goal is to prevent the spread of malware, the fastest means of which is an internet connected computer. In that event, the feature only intrudes when the computer, by virtue of it’s internet connection, is a member of the threat class.

So... plausible?

Apple built the computer; I exchanged money for the computer; now I own the computer.

Apple does not own the computer.

If Apple wants to own the computer, they can pay me instead.

They own the software.

You didn't pay for that. You licensed it from them.