[stefan_]

It isn't open for all? F-Droid, surely one of the most popular 3rd party app stores has vastly stronger requirements than the Play store: https://f-droid.org/en/docs/Inclusion_Policy/

The Play store is such an unimaginable cesspit of crap that I've now stopped using it entirely except for official company apps, and then it will still suggest me malware clones every time.

Like I wanted a battery display for my AirPods and the choice was stuffed with ads, battery draining IAP from the Play store or a simple, free OSS one from F-Droid:

https://github.com/adolfintel/OpenPods

Of course, go figure, this app had to itself be modified to prevent scam artists from loading it up with advertisements and malware and putting it onto Play, where license violations are widespread and go entirely undetected.

[breakfastduck]

I wasn't aiming my 'open-for-all' comment at any particular alternative.

It was more if you've got one walled and protected store and that's compromised, a free open alternative would be more likely suffer the same issues on a larger scale.

Certainly agree with your assessment of the Play Store