[lukeschlather]

F-Droid exists and they have a much better track record than Google. I'm not actually serious, I just think if there's a single app repo that should be allowed to install apps without a scary 24h verification cooldown, it's Google's proprietary closed-source app store that needs the scary process, not F-Droid.

[silver_sun]

Users don't have to wait 24 hours because Google Play store already has registered developers. Scammers can be held liable when Google knows who the developer of the malicious app is.

[xp84]

Really though? Who is in jail right now for Play Store malware offenses? Or are we just talking about some random person in China or Russia who signed up with a prepaid card and fake information had their Google account shut off eventually.

[silver_sun]

I'll give you that, enforcement of the rules can sometimes fail. But scamming & malware is a global industry, definitely not limited to state-funded actors in those two countries (which is what I think you're referring to).