Google Play Store is one of the most secure Android app stores. This is because it comes with Google Play Protect which scans the code of sideloaded apps, removes permission access to unused apps and more.
Most recently, Google has introduced a special badge that guarantees that an application is safe because it has been checked to pass the new App Defense Alliance (ADA) standard, which is MASA (Mobile App Security Assessment). An application that passes this standard means that user data cannot be hacked and is guaranteed to be safe. This badge is an Independent Security Review.
For now, applications entitled to receive this badge are VPN (Virtual Private Network) applications only. Among those that have received this badge are NordVPN, Google One, ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access VPN and several others. Each application also has a report on the Play Store that takes users to the ADA page to learn more about what makes each application guaranteed to be safe.