I'm no expert on the matter, but this is what Apple says:
> All apps listed on alternative app marketplaces are submitted to a Notarization process with Apple. Notarization is a baseline review that applies to all apps, regardless of their distribution channel, focused on platform policies for security and privacy and to maintain device integrity. Through a combination of automated checks and human review, Notarization helps ensure apps are free of known malware, viruses, or other security threats, function as promised, and don’t expose users to egregious fraud. Apple does not enforce the App Store's high standards for business practices and content on apps distributed through alternative app marketplaces.
So what I understand is that it's a baseline check for security, technical issues etc. Content moderation doesn't seem to be a part of it.
oh it's definitely much more than a "baseline check", it seems to be mostly the same silly rules as the real app store
for example, the developer of Clip (Riley Testut) had to add a pointless "map" function which uses the user's location in order to be allowed to run in the background
The first version I tried used the user’s location to remain active, but was rejected by Apple. Testut then updated Clip with a Map feature — so there’s a reason for the app to remain active in the background — to receive approval.
Windows is still around, I think. And you used to be able to install anything on it, from any source, with zero control by MS. (On newer versions that's possibly less true.)
But if you want to steal grandmas' money, it's much easier to setup a romance scam operation than to try to get them to install some app.
You can search for innumerable articles and anecdotes of people moving their family and elders to iOS on mobile and Linux on desktop for exactly these reasons
> All apps listed on alternative app marketplaces are submitted to a Notarization process with Apple. Notarization is a baseline review that applies to all apps, regardless of their distribution channel, focused on platform policies for security and privacy and to maintain device integrity. Through a combination of automated checks and human review, Notarization helps ensure apps are free of known malware, viruses, or other security threats, function as promised, and don’t expose users to egregious fraud. Apple does not enforce the App Store's high standards for business practices and content on apps distributed through alternative app marketplaces.
So what I understand is that it's a baseline check for security, technical issues etc. Content moderation doesn't seem to be a part of it.