Promoted Google Play apps using fraudulent ad practices

The Google Play Store, known for getting infected with malware time and again, now appears to be promoting apps which have been using scammy ad practices.

According to an app analytics firm Kochava which shared its report with Buzzfeed News, there are eight such Android apps with over 2 billion downloads in the Google Play store that have been engaging in the malpractice.

These apps engaged in monitoring user behaviour for 'click injection' - a method where the owner gets credit and paid for serving the ad, to make money from installs.

Seven of these are owned by Cheetah Mobile and one is owned by Kika Tech. Apps suspected of engaging in fraudulent behaviour include Clean Master, CM File Manager, CM Launcher 3D, Security Master, Battery Doctor, CM Locker, and Cheetah Keyboard. From Kika Tech, the Keka Keyboard app is under the scanner.

(Source)