GoKawiilEdgar Cervantes / Android Authority
TL;DR A report claims that the cast to TV/screen mirroring category on Google Play is dominated by a small number of developer networks.
These networks reportedly operate over 280 apps under fake developer accounts with a combined 1.8 billion installs.
In addition to the apps not casting anything, they are said to serve uncloseable ads, “free trials” that charge immediately, and $25.99 weekly subscriptions.
For the most part, the Google Play Store is a safe marketplace with millions of legitimate apps to download. However, it’s not impossible for shady apps to sneak onto the platform. In terms of the cast-to-TV/screen mirroring category, it appears you should probably watch your step, as a new report suggests it is flooded with sketchy software.
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Stefan Hurzlmeier, the developer behind the Android screen-casting app LocalCast, recently noticed something strange about the ads running on his app. All of the ads were for competing casting apps. But the strange part wasn’t just that competitors were advertising on his platform. The developer also found it strange that these ads all had the same ad style, were advertising the same kind of app, and were all targeting LocalCast users specifically.
This prompted Hurzlmeier to start investigating the 16 apps being advertised on LocalCast. What the developer found during his investigation was interesting to say the least.
Have you encountered a scam ad on Android? 1022 votes Yes, I encounter them regularly. 41 % Yes, but only one or two. 12 % I’ve seen them on others’ phones. 9 % No, I run a systemwide ad-blocking solution. 26 % I’m not entirely sure. 10 % It's complicated (elaborate in the comments). 2 %
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