Maybe they audit you when something smells funny and it becomes worth it for them? Microsoft don't set EY (other hired gun auditers may apply) on every small company to check they are activating Windows correctly.

I don't see anyone else asking this question. Seems like a major detail Google is burying.

I'm guessing the alternate billing flow will contractually require the app to "phone home" to Google with how much the user spent. Presumably will be part of the app review process.

Don’t forget it welcomes other app stores in the short term but no indication of a long term guarantee, because that’s how you get good PR.

F-Droid build APKs themselves from source, so presumably 0, as they don't allow APKs to be uploaded.

F-Droid does do some safety checks themselves already too, I don't know exactly what.

Edit: Perhaps I am mistaken... but I think the linked post was referring to users adding additional repos to the F-Droid store, not the default F-Droid repo??

Apple can always choose to make less money. That said:

An estimated 98% of App Store developers qualify for Apple's 15% Small Business Program rate.¹ This doesn't help behemoths like Epic, of course.

App Store developers can also now direct customers to alternative payment methods on the web through in-app links.

¹ https://www.theverge.com/2020/11/18/21572302/apple-app-store...

Google changed the way their are the Gatekeepers. It now is tied to requiring a software developer ID attached to a real person; Developer Verification. [0]

And how side-loading will have to go through ADB versus just allowing the application to be installed by a file manager.

This is why GrapheneOS and /e/OS have been popping up, along with Linux based alternatives.

[0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47251763

  Based on this feedback and our ongoing conversations with the community, we are building a new advanced flow that allows experienced users to accept the risks of installing software that isn't verified. We are designing this flow specifically to resist coercion, ensuring that users aren't tricked into bypassing these safety checks while under pressure from a scammer. It will also include clear warnings to ensure users fully understand the risks involved, but ultimately, it puts the choice in their hands. We are gathering early feedback on the design of this feature now and will share more details in the coming months. 

    "Starting in September 2026, Android will require all apps to be registered by verified developers in order to be installed on certified Android devices"

Now instead of using the excuse that "Apple does it too" they can use the excuse "Apple does it even worse"

You can thank Epic Games.