Google banned app alert: DELETE it from phone now as Google Play Store has removed it

Google banned app: Google recently banned eight apps from the Google Play Store, after they tricked users into thinking they were downloading apps to earn some money, but scammed them into parting with their money with nothing in return. The problem is massive. During the Google I/O event held in May, the company announced that there were more than three billion active Android devices. And as a part of managing the Google Play Store, Google must also police multiple apps that arrive on the store daily, some of which are malicious in nature. Thousands and thousands of apps come daily this way. Various dangerous apps on Google Play Store are also identified by other security firms. Now, thanks to security firm Trend Micro, Google was able to find out and remove the offending apps from the Play Store that promised cryptocurrency mining, including Ethereum (ETH) - Pool Mining Cloud.

Google banned app - what you need to know: According to security firm Trend Micro, the Ethereum (ETH) - Pool Mining Cloud app, was one of eight apps that were being used to fool users into watching ads, promising revenue which was never granted. Similarly, users were convinced to invite their friends to download the same app, after which those users were probably subjected to the same treatment. Users were also asked to pay for “increased cryptocurrency-mining capabilities” using in-app purchases that could cost between $14.99 (around ₹1095) to $189.99 (around 13,870) which, of course, yielded no result either.

Also read: Looking for a smartphone? Check Mobile Finder here.

Unfortunately, users who were tricked into downloading the app, were unable to earn any money from the Ethereum (ETH) - Pool Mining Cloud app. This is because the app would conveniently always display a “waiting” state and show a cryptocurrency value that can be altered, according to Trend Micro. These apps masquerade as Finance apps, while they can be considered as simulation apps -- at best. One of the eight banned apps on Google Play Store even buried a line in the terms and conditions that it was created to teach people about the crypto money ecosystem and that there was no real mining of cryptocurrency.

The security firm advises that users uninstall the Ethereum (ETH) - Pool Mining Cloud app from their smartphones right away, along with the eight other apps -- you can check the entire list here.

How to tell if an app on Google Play Store is fake

Users who want to stay safe should do a few things before carrying out any Google Play Store app download.

a) Carefully read app reviews, especially the 1-star reviews on Google Play Store.

b) Entering a random cryptocurrency address should also give a good idea about whether the app is legitimate, as a fake app would accept any value.

c) Similarly, any app offering low transfer fees is also a red flag that users should be aware of while downloading and using these apps. If an app is charging a low fee or promising to do it all for free, then it is a big red flag as a legitimate app would charge big amounts for their services.