This comment is basically just a tl;dr of the OP

I wouldn’t say obsolete because that implies it’s not really used anymore. Most websites and apps still use validation not too dissimilar from the OP, even if it goes against the latest best practices.

Easier doesn’t mean better though.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they are working on something now and just wanted to get the app out as an mvp.

That is likely a benefit but let’s be honest the real reason is that a web version would require a lot of additional overhead especially to staff enough engineers.

Well yeah, the US is set up for giant corporations to make as much money as possible as quickly as possible regardless of how much it will fuck over the customer, bonus points if fucking over the customer doesn’t include immediate proof of physical harm to said customer.

What are friends