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Google Bans Cryptocurrency Mining Apps From the Play Store (bleepingcomputer.com)
The Google Play Store is no longer welcoming apps that mine cryptocurrencies on users' devices. The new policy plainly states: "We don't allow apps that mine cryptocurrency on devices." As a result, Google will start to remove any app from the Play Store that violates these terms. It will however still allow mining apps that are used to control cryptocurrency mining operations on remote devices -- such as servers or desktops. Bleeping Computer reports: Preventing cryptocurrency mining on Android is crucial because untethered mining operations can easily overheat or destroy batteries -- or even devices if the battery case deforms, leaks, or catches fire. Such scenarios have already happened. Android malware strains like Loapi and HiddenMalware have been known to cause physical damage to infected smartphones. Google didn't publicly announce the policy change, but developers who had apps removed complained on Reddit. Other policy changes were also made, such as the decision to ban apps with repetitive content. You can read the new "Restricted Content" section of the Play Store Policy Center here, and compare it to an earlier version here.
Destroys battery life, causes overheating in devices leading to hardware failures, makes products using their OS run like an Apple device post an obsolescence "update". It wasn't hard really. Now factor in "background" being added to "free" applications/games. See where this is going? Obviously not.
No problems here at all. If you want to cook your android device by running constant encryption on it, generating coins at a cost of many times their market value - go ahead and sideload the miner.
But most of the apps containing mining software are tricking users into mining for the app developer - and it's a good thing that they are being removed.
Prediction for end of Universe #42: Fencepost error in Quantum_bogosort.cpp
You can run what you like on your phone. Google is perfectly entitle to choose what it allows in its app store, however if you have a burning desire to run malware-infested crypto-mining apps (or any other kind of restricted apps for that matter), you can get them from an alternative app store, or sideload the apk.
Oh no... it's the future.
Seriously, why would Google possibly care? In what way does it have any impact whatsoever on the Android Eco-system?
Several ways.
1) It makes Android less attractive as an ecosystem. (ruins battery life, performance, privacy, etc)
2) It provides marketing fodder for competitors to use against them
3) It impacts Google's revenue from their ad business
4) Many of these apps are obvious attempts at fraud
5) Liability due to the above issues
Who is it hurting to run this software?
Most of the people running it as well as Google and companies depending on the Android ecosystem.
If someone wants to use their phone to run cycles on mining or watching hard core Japanese porno, who's fucking business is it?
No one but nothing is preventing you from doing that. Doesn't mean Google is under any obligation to help you do it though. Go ahead and sideload the stuff if it is that important to you. None of us will care I assure you.
They aren't controlling what the customer does. They are controlling what is allowed to be downloaded via their service. I disagree with the blanket disallowing of the apps, but as long as they allow them to sideload, they are only changing which contracts that their system will facilitate.