Google Bans All Cryptomining Extensions From the Chrome Web Store
In the wake of banning crypto advertisements a month ago, Google has now restricted the crypto mining browser extensions from its Chrome web store. The tech giant won’t acknowledge the crypto mining extensions any longer due to their non-compliance.
Google, in its official declaration that was taking effect right now from April 2, 2018, banned all the digital currency mining browser extensions from its Chrome Web store and further won’t acknowledge any new as well.
The declaration entitled “Protecting users from extension crypto jacking” states:
“As the extensions ecosystem continues to evolve, we remain focused on empowering developers to build innovative experiences while keeping our users as safe as possible.”
The tech giant further explained that it “will no longer accept extensions that mine cryptocurrency” and would begin delisting the current ones “in late June”. Nonetheless, it clarifies that the blockchain related extensions whose reason for existing isn’t mining will be permitted in its Web Store.
Beforehand, Google has allowed the Chrome mining extensions on the ground that they were just devoted to mining and informed the users expressly about their purpose. But, looks like the policy couldn’t keep the malicious miners away.
The developers have been worried about the malevolent mining extensions since a year ago, in October. The purpose of the ban was the larger part of mining extensions’ inability to comply with the company’s policies.
The product manager of Google’s extensions platform, James Wagner expressed:
“The key to maintaining a healthy extensions ecosystem is to keep the platform open and flexible. This empowers our developers to build creative and innovative customizations for Chrome browser users.”
It has been additionally expressed that:
“Approximately 90% of all extensions with mining scripts that developers have attempted to upload to Chrome Web Store have failed to comply with these policies, and have been either rejected or removed from the store.”
In its blog post, the US tech giant also mentioned the increase in the number of malicious extensions:
“Over the past few months, there has been a rise in malicious extensions that appear to provide useful functionality on the surface, while embedding hidden cryptocurrency mining scripts that run in the background without the user’s consent.”
Google notes that Chrome’s developer capabilities have attracted the malicious software developers which it now seeks to rectify:
“This policy is another step forward in ensuring that Chrome users can enjoy the benefits of extensions without exposing themselves to hidden risks.”
