You really think there is nothing in the app store that can be called malware?

So in response to a tightly controlled store where it’s hard but not impossible to publish malware you want the way forward to make it easier?

I just asked the parent if they thought it was really impossible.

But personally, yes. I think controlling your own device is more important, so there should be a way to sideload apps.

A positive aspect of prison is that you won't crash your car

If you want to spend $700 to go to prison for a while so you don't crash your car, I don't think there should be a law against it.

Sure, but people aren't paying to go to prison. They are paying for a nice bed. Apple just happens to keep the bed in prison, which is where you must go if you want to use the bed.

The vast majority of apps are malware. In both Apple's and Google's app stores. It's gotten to the point that apps are assumed to harvest all information they have access to, store it permanently and sell it to anyone who asks.

If you define malware so broad that every app meets your definition then the term kinda loses its punch.

It's the software ecosystem that has changed, not the definition. Spyware was always included. You can check the history of wikipedia article on malware if you don't believe me.