I would like to report a deceptive AdMob ad implementation

[Martin Čivrný]

To the Google Ad Quality / AdMob Policy Team,

I would like to report a deceptive AdMob ad implementation in the following app:

App name:  Romania Live TV Cinema
Package:  com.ovidev.rocinema
Play Store URL: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ovidev.rocinema

Issue Description:
When the app is used in landscape mode, the video player displays a native ad with a fake “X” (close) button. The “X” is intentionally designed to appear functional, but instead of closing the ad, it opens the advertiser’s landing page.

This implementation is misleading and manipulative, as it tricks users into generating accidental clicks and violates AdMob’s Misleading Ads and Encouraged Clicks policies. The ad type used appears to be native (native ad unit), embedded in the video player UI.

[Mobile Ads SDK Forum Advisor]

Hi,

Thank you for reaching out to Mobile Ads SDK Support Team.

I understand your concern regarding the misleading close button behavior in landscape mode.

I tested your Ad Unit ID with our Google Sample Application, but I did not observe the issue you described. Please share the following details so I can proceed with the investigation:

• Charles session

• Confirmation if this is happening on specific devices or all devices

• Sample project where the issue is reproducible

If the file(s) you are looking to share are less than 25mb in total you can attach them to this case on your next reply. If you are having trouble attaching your file to this case or if your file(s) are larger than 25mb, you can share your files with me by performing the following steps:

1. Navigate to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfkAiXMeYP-fw1W3Z-tT9uwmATEKO5X6S-th0gR2ezdKaaqfg/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.400550049=Mobile+Ads+SDK&entry.460850823=500Ht00001wnrTyIAI&entry.80707362=00349019

2. Fill out all fields, and attach your file(s).

3. Please reply back on this thread when you have uploaded your file(s). Please do not share this link.

Thanks,

 

Mobile Ads SDK Team

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[2026-01-08 11:33:51Z GMT] This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!500Ht01wnrTy:ref" (ADR-00349019)

[Martin Čivrný]

Hi,

Thank you for your response and for testing the Ad Unit ID with the Google Sample Application.

Please note that I am not the developer or owner of the reported app or Ad Unit, and I do not have access to the source code or a sample project. I am reporting this issue purely as an end user who observed the behavior in a production app available on Google Play.

Below are the details I can provide from a user perspective:

Charles session
I’m afraid I cannot provide a Charles session, as I do not have access to the app’s internal network traffic or debugging configuration.

Devices affected
The issue was observed consistently on multiple Android devices when the app is used in landscape mode, including:

• Android phones and tablets rotated to landscape

Based on testing, this does not appear to be device-specific but rather related to the ad placement and layout logic in landscape orientation.

Reproducibility
The issue is reproducible by:

1. Installing the app from Google Play

2. Install one of those apps to unlock the hidden LIVE TV tab (com.facebook.lite, com.whatsapp, com.instagram.android,com.zhiliaoapp.musically)

3. Playing a live stream

4. Switching the device to landscape mode

5. Observing a native ad overlay within the player that displays a close (“X”) icon

6. Tapping the “X” opens the advertiser’s landing page instead of dismissing the ad

This behavior strongly suggests a misleading native ad implementation, where the close icon is part of the clickable ad asset rather than a functional dismiss control.

While the behavior may not be reproducible in the Google Sample Application, it is clearly reproducible in the published app, which indicates a potential policy violation in how the native ad is integrated by the app developer.

Please let me know if a screen recording from the production app would be helpful. I can provide that as evidence of the end-user experience.

Thank you for your time and assistance.

Kind regards,

[Martin Čivrný]

Hi,

Thank you for your response and for testing the Ad Unit ID with the Google Sample Application.

Please note that I am not the developer or owner of the reported app or Ad Unit, and I do not have access to the source code or a sample project. I am reporting this issue purely as an end user who observed the behavior in a production app available on Google Play.

Below are the details I can provide from a user perspective:

Charles session
I’m afraid I cannot provide a Charles session, as I do not have access to the app’s internal network traffic or debugging configuration.

Devices affected
The issue was observed consistently on multiple Android devices when the app is used in landscape mode, including:

• Android phones and tablets rotated to landscape

Based on testing, this does not appear to be device-specific but rather related to the ad placement and layout logic in landscape orientation.

Reproducibility
The issue is reproducible by:

1. Installing the app from Google Play

1. Playing a live stream

1. Switching the device to landscape mode

2. Observing a native ad overlay within the player that displays a close (“X”) icon

3. Tapping the “X” opens the advertiser’s landing page instead of dismissing the ad

This behavior strongly suggests a misleading native ad implementation, where the close icon is part of the clickable ad asset rather than a functional dismiss control.

While the behavior may not be reproducible in the Google Sample Application, it is clearly reproducible in the published app, which indicates a potential policy violation in how the native ad is integrated by the app developer.

Please let me know if a screen recording from the production app would be helpful. I can provide that as evidence of the end-user experience.

Thank you for your time and assistance.

Kind regards,

Pe joi, 8 ianuarie 2026, la 11:34:40 UTC, Mobile Ads SDK Forum Advisor a scris:

[Mobile Ads SDK Forum Advisor]

Hi,

Thank you for clarifying that you are reporting this as an end user. I understand that you do not have access to the app's source code or internal logs.

Please note that to investigate the issue further we require the details we have requested earlier. So then we can provide you with the solution. This will allow us to review the specific ad implementation and the issue with the close icon.

Thanks,

 

Mobile Ads SDK Team

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How was our support today?

               

[2026-01-20 12:40:53Z GMT] This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!500Ht01wnrTy:ref" (ADR-00349019)