If a user can run their own lightning node, manage liquidity and the liveness requirements then they should. Ark isn't going to replace that, however for people who don't want to then ark can be quite compelling.
Yes the server can refuse to sign any payments you try to make but that's why storing your VTXOs locally is so important because it allows you to unilaterally exit without anybody's permission. Bark clients store this by default for this very reason. You do still have to contend with the reality that it might not always be economical to exit however that's much less of a problem for the average bitcoiner imo due to refreshes resetting how many transactions are required to exit.
If a user can run their own lightning node, manage liquidity and the liveness requirements then they should. Ark isn't going to replace that, however for people who don't want to then ark can be quite compelling.
Yes the server can refuse to sign any payments you try to make but that's why storing your VTXOs locally is so important because it allows you to unilaterally exit without anybody's permission. Bark clients store this by default for this very reason. You do still have to contend with the reality that it might not always be economical to exit however that's much less of a problem for the average bitcoiner imo due to refreshes resetting how many transactions are required to exit.