Some third party coverage in the news which gives some context for this change:

https://www.androidauthority.com/google-play-store-opens-up-...

It's almost like well-designed regulation can provide exactly the benefits it's intended to. This says that you can now use whatever form of in-app payments you want, or link to alternative payment methods outside of the app.

it's a big win, now Patreon is a thing: https://lists.zx2c4.com/pipermail/wireguard/2019-October/004...

just need to win the right to sideload so that F-droid can still exist.