Facebook sues Hong Kong app developer over Android malware

Facebook has sued a Hong Kong-based developer for allegedly implanting malware into Android apps that created fake clicks on the social network’s ads.

Why it matters: The case is the latest in a series of offensives against Chinese companies found to be injecting malware in apps for financial gain.

• Google has banned developers including Baidu-affiliate Do Global from its Play Store for similar reasons. Meanwhile, the company barred CooTek from its ad platform after the Chinese company was found to be using a malicious plug-in that violated Google’s advertising policies.

Details: Hong Kong-based LionMobi allegedly engaged in “click injection fraud” to generate fake clicks on ads displayed on a smartphone. LionMobi was not immediately available for comment when TechNode reached out on Wednesday.

• Facebook’s complaint was also lodged against Singapore-based developer JediMobi.
• The US company also said that LionMobi posted ads for malicious apps on its network, violating the company’s advertising policies.
• Facebook said its lawsuit is “one of the first of its kind” against the practice.
• Both LionMobi and JediMobi have been banned from Facebook’s Audience Network, which allows advertisers to extend their campaigns across the internet and into apps.
• Facebook said that advertisers affected by the maliciously generated ad clicks were reimbursed in March.