I can agree that everyone hates the official launcher (I do as well and use prism and modrinth myself). My point being that off steam It doesnt always mean not trusted. Look at Paradox, EA, and other games that integrate Epic launcher/services.

i also agree that they can have malware. The only difference is the fact that it's labeled on steam for all the anticheats that are required. otherwise both on and off platform do the same thing.