Google Play Store Bans Cryptocurrency Mining Apps

In July 2018, Google decided to remove non-compliant crypto-mining apps with the revised terms of service. The statement gave a 30-day notice for developers to either comply with their apps or their products would be removed.

The 30-day period is now over and Google has finally started to eliminate the unwanted apps. Many like MinerGate, AA Miner, and Free BCH Miner are no longer present on the Play Store. While NeoNeonMiner, Crypto Miner Pro, Pickaxe Miner, and Pocket Miners are still able to be discovered.

Another one – Bitcoin Miner has complied with the new terms of service and remains untouched.  MinerGate however - another app with more than one million installs, was removed from Google‘s store. In order to be put back, it has to exclude all its mining features.

The developers behind the app declared how one of the main characteristics was the mining function directly from a mobile phone. To comply with the new standards they have removed mining altogether and are ready to meet the necessary requirements and become a downloadable option for Android users. As of September 1st, MinerGate is still missing from the Play Store.

In spite of all the efforts done by Google, creative developers are trying to bypass the Internet giant in terms of service and keep on offering mining options. That can allow illegitimate apps to enter the store so users have to be alarmed and be cautious while downloading third-party apps. Such applications could potentially be malware or harmful viruses.

A security researcher, Troy Mursch, reminded customers that mobile phones were not produced or optimized to mine cryptocurrency and customers should avoid downloading unreliable mining apps.