Google is going a step further in improving user experience on its Chrome browser. After recently announcing a ban on crypto-related ads, the company has now publicised it will remove cryptocurrency mining extensions from its Chrome Web Store.
Crypto Mining Extensions To Be Removed
On April 3, the tech company announced that it would block all Chrome browser extensions mining cryptocurrencies with user’s machines. Google has in the past taken down few illicit extensions that secretly drained victims’ hardware resources without their consent.
The company’s announcement stated:
“Until now, Chrome Web Store policy has permitted cryptocurrency mining in extensions as long as it is the extension’s single purpose, and the user is adequately informed about the mining behavior. Unfortunately, approximately 90% of all extensions with mining scripts that developers have attempted to upload to Chrome Web Store have failed to comply with these policies, and have been either rejected or removed from the store,”
Extensions related to blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies, other than mining, fall under the standard quota and will be permitted in the Chrome web store. All existing crypto mining focused extensions will be delisted by July this year.
Google Takes Action Against Cryptojacking
Over the past few months, cryptojacking incidents shot up, forcing some browsers to develop tools that prevent illicit mining scripts from using user’s computer resources. Because of minor failures in Chrome’s Web store policies, developers have managed to deploy their illicit mining extensions on Google Chrome, one of the world’s most popular web browsers. James Wagner, Google’s Extension Platform product manager, said:
“The key to maintaining a healthy extensions ecosystem is to keep the platform open and flexible. This empowers our developers to build creative and innovative customizations for Chrome browser users.”
Recently, various tech companies banned crypto related ads from their platforms. These include Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, and Snapchat. MailChimp – a popular email marketing platform – was the latest one banning crypto ads, reportedly to protect its users from fraudulent activities floating in the crypto space.
Cryptojacking hasn’t just been a problem for users. Large companies and government organizations throughout the world have fallen prey to it. Recently, Tesla’s cloud system was hijacked to mine, and even Google’s DoubleClick Ad Service was used as a vehicle.
