Cryptocurrency Mining Apps Banned from Google Play Store

Google has banned cryptocurrency mining apps from the Google Play Store in an effort to prevent cryptojacking. These apps often contain scripts by hackers which are embedded onto a user's device without their consent to collectively mine cryptocurrencies. A greatly reduced battery life and an increasingly slower device is the unfortunate result for users. Cryptojacking is getting more common and is quickly replacing the bane of ransomware.

The move came in an update to the Developer Distribution Agreement for Google Play. A new section on Cryptocurrencies is now listed under Financial Instruments and essentially bans mining apps. The new section does allow apps which remotely manage mining as long as there is no processing of mining transactions or linking to mining pools. Apps mining for cryptocurrencies from outside of a device, such as cloud-based mining, are still allowed.

This is not the first time that Google has cracked down on cryptocurrencies. Previous restrictions include prohibiting cryptocurrency advertisements from the Google platform and removing cryptocurrency wallets from the Google Chrome Web Store. Such restrictions have immediate effects on the cryptocurrency market and usually lead to a temporary fall in the price of Bitcoin. Google nevertheless remains interested in cryptocurrency platforms.

Hat tip: CryptoSlate | Image: Bitcoin Aajtak