There is an issue with shadow apps streaming to TV in the Google Play Store

For the most part, the Google Play Store is a safe marketplace with millions of legitimate apps to download. However, it is not possible for shady apps to sneak into the platform. In terms of the cast-to-TV/screen category, you should probably watch your step, as a new report suggests it’s full of sketchy software.

Stefan HurzlmeierThe creator of Android screencasting app LocalCast recently noticed something strange with the ads running in his app. All ads are for competing broadcast programs. But the strange part wasn’t just that competitors were advertising on his platform. The developer found it odd that these ads all had the same ad style, advertised the same type of app, and were all specifically targeting LocalCast users.

That prompted Hurzlmeier to begin researching the 16 apps advertised on LocalCast. What the developer found during his investigation was interesting to say the least.

According to the report, these apps are operated by a small number of developer networks based mainly in Vietnam and Pakistan. In addition to these 16 apps, these networks reportedly ran more than 280 other apps through dozens of fake developer accounts, resulting in a total of 1.8 billion installs. The developer claims it’s a “systematic Play Store manipulation” that led to “coordinated ad campaigns targeting rival apps like mine.”

Hurzlmeier lists the following five groups as the worst offenders:

• iKame/Begamob (Vietnam): The group reportedly has more than four Play Store accounts, more than 130 apps and nearly 1.5 billion installs.
• MaxLabs (Hong Kong): This company is said to operate eight separate Play Store developer accounts (Maxlabs Graphic Design Tools, Maxlabs Photo Editor, Maxlabs Personalization Tools, etc.).
• Package ID ai.chatbot.alpha.chatapp: It is alleged that this was previously transmitted to a TV program with an artificial intelligence chatbot called “AI Chatbot – Alpha”. The app is said to have been modified to inherit the chatbot’s rating. Google’s cached search result still shows the old name, Hurzlmeier says.
• Nice – Polska Sp. z o. o.: This casting program Nice – Polska Sp. z o. o. as its Play Store developer. However, Hurzlmeier claims that “the privacy policy is on Geneztech.com, the contact is support@generationztech.com, and the company behind it is an English shell run by a single person in Pakistan.”
• Incube Technologies (Pakistan/UAE): The network reportedly sells app store optimization as a service and its streaming apps are published through “SwiftBiz Apps.”

When it comes to app experience, Hurzlmeier claims these apps don’t actually work. In addition to not broadcasting, these apps offer unblockable ads that require you to restart your phone, “free trials” that load instantly, and $25.99 weekly subscriptions.

Android Authority Google has been contacted for comment. We will update this article as new information becomes available.