No, I think the implication is that if a major manufacturer lets something Bad™ slip in, they can be held liable. xXFoneBoi93 could slip in a root kit and the custom ROM they contribute to probably wouldn’t be held accountable in any meaningful way.
That’s how I read it at least
Held liable, as in getting a fine that's 0.3℅ of their yearly revenue ?
Well sure, that’s a completely different discussion though.