I just tested this and it works fine. I displayed in a browser window that had no authentication to the account and it merely offered me to get the app or continue with browser. No problem at all, had the file a moment later.
This is user error somewhere in the process.
P.S. free account used. P.P.S. Tested on iPhone share link from Dropbox app to clipboard, paste into two browsers: Aloha and Firefox. On both I got the standard cookie notice - which I DECLINED and it wasn’t a problem. Then the screen offered get the app or continue in browser. Chose browser and my file came up. No problem whatsoever.
OP refused to take advice and troubleshoot, instead just rants with baseless accusation. This is not a behavior I haven’t seen countless times already.