I can't remember. Regardless, I don't see why they'd remove some apps (that still work fine!) and not others, eg the Pocket God example I gave above which hasn't been updated in 7 years.
Also, "unlisting" such apps would be better than removing them entirely, particularly since we have no alternative way of distribution.
I have a working theory that if Pocket God was uploaded with Bitcode, then Apple can recompile/relink it automatically for each year’s platform updates; and for projects not uploaded with Bitcode, the harsher standard is being applied to get that recompilation.
I paid $15 for the iOS version of Binding of Isaac and it disappeared from my library with no refund. Apple definitely completely removes things sometimes.
Also, "unlisting" such apps would be better than removing them entirely, particularly since we have no alternative way of distribution.