Android Apps: Sky Warrior type scam?

For the first time in a while I decided to download a new free game to kill some time.

I'm aware of recent issues with malware masking itself as free games but figured I would be safe going to the "Top Free Games" section of the Android Marketplace. There it was, #31, a top down shooter named "Sky Warrior", 1 million + downloads, and 4.5 stars from 50,000+ users.

If you look over what it wants access to when installing, you can already see warning signs. The app wants access to directly call numbers, Read/Write your browser history/bookmarks, and..well, basically everything.

The app, after installation, forces you to rate it five stars to play it, installs icons on the desktop that link to partner websites,  and spams notifications for random crap.

My question is: how the hell is this app able to get to #31 on the Android Marketplace without being reported enough for these malware type practices?

I can see how they figured out how the manipulated the rating system by forcing users to rate it 5 stars before letting the game be played. What I'm having a hard time understanding though, is why Google hasn't figured out some way to cut down on this type of practice.

Unless the top free games are full of these type of apps, I wonder what the chances are that the first game I download off that list in six months is this bad. 


Full disclosure: I never rated it five stars, so I have no idea if the game even exists beyond the malware, or if it's any good. Also, as stated above, it's the first thing I've done on the games marketplace in six months, and I have done very little research beyond this experience. Feel free to set me straight!