Google bars cryptocurrency mining apps from Play Store

Google has banned cryptocurrency miners on the Play Store in its updated Play Store developer policy, according to Android Police.

Earlier this year, the search engine giant banned crypto mining extensions from the Chrome Web Store, including the ones that were solely focused on mining. In addition, Google updated its Financial Services Policy last month prohibiting ads relating to “Cryptocurrencies and related content (including but not limited to initial coin offerings, cryptocurrency exchanges, cryptocurrency wallets, and cryptocurrency trading advice)”.

The updated Play Store developer policy states:

“We don't allow apps that mine cryptocurrency on devices. We permit apps that remotely manage the mining of cryptocurrency.”

Last month, iPhone maker Apple also banned cryptocurrency mining on its devices. According to Apple Insider, the company updated its App Store Review Guidelines, which states, “Apps may not mine for cryptocurrencies unless the processing is performed off device (e.g. cloud-based mining).”

More recently, Google added Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), and Litecoin (LTC) to its online currency exchange converter. When a user searches these cryptos on Google, it automatically displays their exchange rates in the user's local currency.