I read the article, and, as much as I'd love for what you said to be true, I don't think it is. It's specifically about the google play store adding barriers to make it harder to install competing app stores.

Regular apps only require a "one-tap to install", but app stores require you to specifically hit View then scroll to find the Install button. It's not many more steps, but it's also unfair treatment. This court order aims to fix that.

Again, really hoped it was about the sideloading "ban", but it's not.

In Canada, yes but this has no effect anywhere else.