Google removes a fake Chrome app from Google Play after it surpasses 100,000 downloads
Google has removed a fake app from the Google Play Store that impersonated the Chrome browser. The app had been downloaded over 100,000 times—an incident first uncovered by a Reddit user—raising questions about the store’s app review and advertising mechanisms.
According to "Android Authority", the fraudulent app was published by a developer named "Hizbartech." It appeared as a sponsored advertisement at the top of search results for the term "Chrome," positioned above the legitimate app from Google.
The app was originally uploaded to the store on August 22 as a game titled "Ball Bounce." On September 30, the developer changed its name and icon to mimic the official Chrome browser.
Despite masquerading as the browser, the app was neither a browser nor a game. A Reddit user who installed it reported that the app prompted them to select an avatar for no apparent reason, then redirected them to a chat interface featuring AI-generated personas that provided random, nonsensical responses.
"Android Headlines" warns that such deceptive apps may connect to remote command-and-control servers after installation, potentially downloading malicious code through subsequent updates.
The timing of the incident is notable: "Ball Bounce" appeared on the store just four days after Google announced, on August 18, a new "advanced flow" mechanism for installing apps from outside the Play Store—a feature the company claims is designed to protect users from fraudulent applications. Android Authority notes that this incident raises two questions: how did the app pass Google’s review process before being published, and why was its developer permitted to pay for its promotion on the store, despite the fact that it clearly misleads users?
The outlet reached out to Google for comment but had not received a response by the time of publication.
This incident occurs despite Google’s previous announcement that artificial intelligence had helped it block 1.75 million policy-violating apps in 2025. Furthermore, there have been past instances where malicious apps were discovered on Google Play only after remaining undetected for two years.
Android Authority advises users to verify both the developer’s name and the package name before installing any application. Users may also wish to follow recommended steps for protecting their Android devices from malicious apps.