Forcing users to pay for apps rather than install pirated APK's and unlocked apps both raises Google's revenue and reduces the risks of malware and scams.
The consequence is naturally, the savvy users who know how to avoid risks lose the ability to have more control over their phone.
This assumes that Google actually does reduce malware and scams within their garden, but they do not. They are just as prevalent (perhaps more so) within the apps that Google certifies.
So the only thing it kills is the risks to Google's revenue, not the risks to users' security.
I would be extremely surprised if they don't get kickback through their existing shopping features. It's just well integrated, so it doesn't look like advertisements.
Both Kagi and Perplexity are customers of Brave, btw. See https://brave.com/api or just ask if you have questions. Will answer what I can for anyone curious.
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