Fake Google Chrome App Gets More Than 1,00,000 Downloads on Play Store
A Reddit user shared a screenshot of the fake app, which listed “Hizbartech” as its developer
A fake Google Chrome app reportedly received more than 100,000 downloads on the Google Play Store and appeared at the top of search results for “Chrome”.
A Reddit user shared a screenshot of the fake app, which listed “Hizbartech” as its developer.
Photo: Reddit.
According to a report by Android Authority, the app was originally uploaded to the Play Store as a game called “Ball Bounce”. Its name and icon were later changed to resemble Google Chrome.
A comment on the Reddit post claimed that the fake Chrome app was actually a chat app that gave random responses.
“They didn't even copy chromium and put some kind of tracking or info stealer they just put in some weird contact app with a ton of AI avatars,” one Reddit user commented.
Reddit users also said that the fake app has since been removed from the Google Play Store.
The incident raises questions about Google’s app-review process. How did an app that allegedly impersonated Chrome clear the checks required to appear on the Play Store? More concerningly, the developer was reportedly allowed to promote the app through paid advertising, helping it appear prominently in search results.