Report Shows Some Crypto Mining Apps Still Available in Google Play Store Despite Ban
As per a report by the Next Web published on August 28, a few cryptocurrency mining applications stay in the Google Play Store in spite of the ban.
On July 27, Google prohibited crypto-mining applications from its Play Store. An update to Google’s developer policy read that “we don’t allow apps that mine cryptocurrency on devices.” The organization gave mining application developers a 30-day free time to amend their products for them to agree to the new terms.
The deferral time frame has passed, however, some applications that empower on-device mining are as yet accessible on the Play Store, as indicated by the Next Web. The site supposedly discovered eight applications, three of which have been removed. NeoNeonMiner, Crypto Miner PRO, Pickaxe Miner, and Pocket Miner are still live on the store, while Bitcoin Miner allegedly asserts its offering conforms to the terms presented by Google.
While MinerGate has been expelled from the store, its developers disclosed to Hard Fork that the application’s most recent cycle erased its on-device mining highlights to follow Google’s rules. MinerGate revealed to Hard Fork in an email:
“Mining on your phone directly was among the core features of the MinerGate app before the last changes in Google Play Development policies. With the last update, we are removing this functionality to meet the updated requirements.”
Prior to this month, Google Play Store facilitated a reported Ethereum (ETH) scam application. Lukas Stefanko, a malware analyst from Slovakia, apparently found a fake “Ethereum” application on Google Play that had been offered for sale at cost of €335 or around $388. As indicated by the analyst, the scam expected to trap an unaware purchaser into buying the application, who mixed up it for the first Ethereum cryptocurrency.
In April, Google additionally declared that it is expelling mining expansions from its Chrome Web Store after “90 percent” neglected to agree to its rules. The move allegedly came because of examination of malicious “crypto jacking” display in expansions.
