can you download free apps without apple id

No. You need an Apple ID. However, you can create an app-only account w/o a credit card by following these instructions.

Creating an iTunes Store, App Store, iBookstore, and Mac App Store account without a credit card

What if you are in Japan there is no "no payment" option.

Basically because even free apps need to be associated with an Apple ID. What is this paranoia of not wanting to create an Apple ID?

Its not like you are handing over your soul. It's just an account to use Apple services.

No one here made the rules. We all follow them like you do because we're just users like you are. You need to make a google ID to get anything from the play store. You need an amazon sign in to get anything from Amazon, you need a Microsoft ID to activate a PC and get apps...so Apple is not unique.

Purchases are linked to the ID, and can be transferred to any device that is also signed into that ID...meaning if I buy an app I can use it indefinitely, no matter how many Apple devices I purchase over the years. That's the reason for the ID. Any other way would link the app to a device and apps would need to be repurchased for each device.....which would not be fun.

Beyond that, Apple does what Apple does, which is not dissimilar from any other app store out there.

You're free to let them know how you feel

http://www.apple.com/feedback/

This is the most pompous, unhelpful nonanswer I have read. Goodjob translating the legal ToS. I am sure you are bar'd right? It is not the correct answer and you are a piece of self-righteous garbage.

What's the reason, other than surveillance mania, for Apple requiring ID and sign in for free apps?

Because Apple made it that way. It is against the terms of use of this forum top discuss why or why not Apple does things.

"Because they made it this way" is a non-answer.

shutupsss wrote:

This is the most pompous, unhelpful nonanswer I have read.

It is one of many possible answers but the only one that is correct in this particular context.

It is the correct answer. Apple has not said why they did it that way and as previously discussed, it is against the terms of use of this forum to speculate on Apple's reasons.

montasolo wrote:

"Because they made it this way" is a non-answer.