The app rose to the number three spot in Finance class of the App Store this weekend as part of a bitcoin craze that saw exchange Coinbase top Apple ’ s free download list in the U.S. In this casing, however, it is important to note this app is not official so users should avoid downloading it .
The app developer — who is listed as Nam Le — has three other apps with Apple, including two lesser panda fighting games, but no history of crypto or bitcoin services.
The creators of MyEtherWallet said in a tweet that they have contacted Apple in a bid to have the app removed .
We ’ ve reached out to Apple to get an theme how it made it through all of the standard base hit checks, and to ask whether it will remain in the App Store .
This is NOT US. We have file reports and emailed and reported. Would appreciate the communities aid in getting these scamtards out of our lives .
PS : We are # Foss4Lyfe hypertext transfer protocol : //t.co/SmI8cqNvxA
— MyEtherWallet.com ( @ myetherwallet ) December 10, 2017
The io app costs $ 4.99 and it inaugural landed on the App Store just over a week ago. It allows users to create or import a wallet to store cryptocurrencies independently of an substitution .
The app notes claim all keys are stored on device, but however granting an unknown developer broad trust of wallet information, be it importing an existing wallet or creating a new one, is surely ill-advised .
A crypto wallet consists of a public address where money is sent to, that ’ s shareable, and a private key that grants the wallet owner access — that should never be shared and should be kept securely. Wallets are popular with cryptocurrency owners because they ensure that an switch over doesn ’ t own your coins and, as the case of the explosion of erstwhile bitcoin darling Mt. Gox shows, you get to keep hold of your money tied if all goes incorrectly at the central .
Threats apart, the app is besides highly unethical/illegal. The developer is monetizing free and open-source software ( FOSS ), as MyEtherWallet pointed out on Twitter .
It isn ’ triiodothyronine open how many downloads the app has gotten, but notes from the most recent update are grateful for users ’ “ early feedbacks. ” Tracking overhaul Apptopia told TechCrunch that it estimates that the app has seen around 3,000 downloads thus far.
Apple ’ s App Store vetting work is notably more rigorous than much of the competition, so it ’ randomness curious that the servicing not only skyrocketed up the charts, but has besides secured an ad on the shop. The episode is another sign of equitable how mainstream bitcoin and crypto has become. In this case, Apple may not be aware of what exactly it has allowed into its App Store .
The irony of Apple allowing a crypto knockoff app into the App Store won ’ t be lost on regular watchers who will recall that the U.S. firm has removed all VPN apps from China this year at the behest of the government. VPNs, which are crucial for helping those in censored countries access a free internet, were among the 600-plus apps that Apple itself said it has removed from chinese translation of the App Store in 2017 .
Update: The app appears to no long be exist in the io app store as of 1PM ET .
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