The Google Play Store has a huge problem with online TV apps

Update: March 31, 2026 (2:18PM ET): Google has confirmed that it is investigating the issue. A company spokesperson said Android Authority in the following sentence:

We are looking at this report. When we find apps that violate our Google Play policies, we take appropriate action.

Original article: March 31, 2026 (12:52PM ET): Overall, the Google Play Store is a safe marketplace with millions of legitimate apps for you to download. However, it is not impossible for shady apps to sneak into the platform. As for the cast-to-TV/screening mirror class, it looks like you’ll have to watch your step, as a new report suggests it’s packed with sketchy software.

Stefan Hurzlmeier, the developer behind the Android screen-casting app LocalCast, recently noticed something strange about the ads that appear on his app. All the ads were for competing apps. But the surprising part was not only that the competitors were advertising on his platform. The developer also found it strange that these ads all had the same advertising style, were promoting the same type of device, and were all targeting LocalCast users specifically.

This prompted Hurzlmeier to begin researching the 16 devices advertised on LocalCast. What the producer found during his investigation was interesting to say the least.

According to the report, these systems are used by a small number of development networks, based in Vietnam and Pakistan. In addition to these 16 apps, the network reportedly operates more than 280 other apps on multiple creative accounts, resulting in 1.8 billion inflows. The developer says it’s a “programmed Play Store operation” that has led to “coordinated ad campaigns targeting competing 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, 130-plus apps, and nearly 1.5 billion installs.
• MaxLabs (Hong Kong): This company allegedly runs eight separate developer accounts on the Play Store (Maxlabs Graphic Design Tools, Maxlabs Photo Editor, Maxlabs Personalization Tools, etc.).
• Package ID ai.chatbot.alpha.chatapp: This is believed to be a TV app that used to be an AI chat called “AI Chatbot – Alpha.” The app is said to have been named after the status of a chatbot. Hurzlmeier says Google’s archived results still show the old name.
• Good – Polska Sp. z oo: This disclaimer shows Nice – Polska Sp. z oo as its Play Store developer. However, Hurzlmeier says “the privacy policy is on generationztech.com, the name is support@generationztech.com, and the company behind it is a UK shell run by one person in Pakistan.”
• Incube Technologies (Pakistan/UAE): The network reportedly sells app store development as a service, and its gaming apps are branded as “SwiftBiz Apps.”

In terms of the app experience, Hurzlmeier says these apps aren’t working. In addition to not showing up, these apps allegedly offer unblockable ads that require you to restart your phone, “free trials” that charge immediately, and weekly subscriptions of $25.99.

Android Authority reached out to Google for comment. We will update this article as soon as new information becomes available.