The popular Ethereum wallet MetaMask briefly left Apple’s App Store on Oct. 14, as confirmed by the project and third-party reports.
MetaMask announced on Twitter/X:
“FYI: We’re aware that MetaMask isn’t currently available for download on the App Store. This [is not] related to anything malicious and our team is working hard to resolve it ASAP.”
Later, MetaMask stated that its crypto wallet was back on the Apple App Store as promised and apologized for any inconvenience caused.
MetaMask has not provided specific reasons for the takedown. However, a representative from MetaMask owner Consensys stated in statements to multiple crypto news sites that the takedown was not due to malicious activity, vulnerability, or app functionality. They also urged users to report any fake MetaMask apps.
Apple’s App Store has rules that may have required the wallet to be removed until developers could demonstrate compliance. The store prohibits background processes like crypto mining and has guidelines against apps that require crypto payments for content and features or offer in-app crypto purchases.
It’s worth noting that MetaMask recently added a feature that allows users to deposit funds through a Stripe on-ramp. However, there is no indication that this addition caused the takedown, as the platform has previously offered similar fiat on-ramps.
Strict crypto policies on app stores
MetaMask has been delisted from other app stores in the past. It was briefly removed from Google’s Chrome Web Store in July 2018. No explanation was provided, but the removal coincided with a policy change affecting mining apps, leading to speculation that the store broadly targeted crypto apps.
In December 2019, MetaMask was delisted from Google Play after Google wrongly claimed that the app had mining features violating its store policy. In both cases, MetaMask was reinstated shortly after.
Apple’s App Store has also caused difficulties for other apps. Coinbase Wallet and Trust Wallet were briefly unavailable in 2022 and later reinstated. Uniswap also faced challenges getting listed on Apple’s App Store before April 2023.
The post MetaMask is back on Apple’s App Store after briefly leaving the platform appeared first on CryptoSlate.
