Barcode Scanner app, with over 10 million downloads, was booted from Google Play marketplace after users complained of mobile-ad overload. The makers of the app intentionally altered the code to turn it from a benign app to adware, researchers at Malwarebytes said. The rogue update to the app occurred in early December, according to researchers. The most likely explanation for the errant ads would be faulty SDK code, which is commonly used in free, third-party apps to generate revenue.
Source: https://threatpost.com/google-boots-barcode-scanner-app-ad-explosion/163803/