[idrios]

Presumably, app stores that do filter out apps with viruses, malware and spyware would still exist. But you'd have a choice in which app store you use, much like how if you're running Windows on a desktop you are able to install other search engines on the computer, and not fear them being suddenly removed for not being Internet Explorer

[drusepth]

Presumably, there existed "app stores" or curated lists before that filtered out apps with viruses, malware, and spyware. Unless people strictly stuck to those curated lists (see: walled gardens), they'd be just as at risk for that malware that existed elsewhere.

How's that different from a suggestion to open up more ways to install software that doesn't have that no-virus/malware/spyware filtering? Is the onus just back on the user to determine which app stores are "safe"?

[idrios]

At some level, yeah the onus is on the user to determine which stores are safe.

Still going with the browser analogy, you can install Firefox on your desktop, or you can install BobsBrowser v0.17. Obviously BobsBrowser won't have the security or support that Firefox would, but that's why Firefox has a reputation.

The walled garden approach is like if Microsoft forced all users to only have Internet Explorer, and Internet Explorer was unable to access websites that had not been approved by Internet Explorer (websites that would need to pay Microsoft substantial fees just to exist).