I wouldn't agree with that. Almost every free app in the Android market is "adware" because that's how the author's get paid. When they bundle spyware into the product, then it becomes malware IMHO. I would agree that Counterclank is really pushing being malware, but Symantec had good reason to back off on their report.

Turns out the malware was more like adware. http://securitywatch.pcmag.com/none/293699-symantec-retracts-android-malware-claims-to-align-with-lookout

Its typical of the government to something like this. Our tax dollars at work I guess!