Google
AppsGoogle removed the MetaMask dApp browser from the Play Store citing a policy that prohibits cryptocurrency mining. However, that doesn’t make any sense since the MetaMask app doesn’t mine cryptocurrency.
On December 26th, @metamask_io announced the suspension on Twitter starting with:
In the last week, the MetaMask Android client was suspended by the Google Play App Store @googleplaydev. They cited their policy that bans mining on mobile, which we don’t. Appeal rejected. #ProtectWeb3. https://play.google.com/about/restricted-content/financial-services/#!?zippy_activeEl=cryptocurrencies%23cryptocurrencies
– MetaMask (@metamask_io) 26 Dec 2019
The appeal rejection cited the same policy: No mining on @Android. We don’t. It’s unclear whether the reviewer doesn’t understand the policy, or whether they are enforcing an unwritten policy. Either way, it’s time to #ProtectWeb3.
– MetaMask (@metamask_io) 26 Dec 2019
About five hours later, @GooglePlayDev responsded with the following:
Hi , thanks for reaching out. We have escalated your issue to the relevant team for further investigation. We appreciate your patience while we are looking into this. #AskPlayDev
– Google Play Apps & Games (@GooglePlayDev) 26 Dec 2019
Dan Findlay (co-lead developer for MetaMask) said the following in a statement to CoinTelegraph:
If people accept this behavior from a mobile monopoly like Google, we may not deserve something better.
Thankfully, Google reinstated the MetaMask app in the Play Store sometime around New Years.