On October 14, MetaMask, the Ethereum wallet with over 30 million users globally, faced a temporary outage on Apple’s App Store, sparking concerns about its potential removal from the marketplace. During this period, the app disappeared from the App Store, and users on Apple devices were unable to download it from the MetaMask website.
Addressing the situation, a MetaMask spokesperson clarified that the issue was unrelated to any security threats or malicious activities. The dedicated team at MetaMask was actively working to resolve the matter promptly.
The incident did not pose a security concern, and users were assured that no compromise or action was required on their part, emphasizing that the problem did not affect the app’s functionality.
The removal of MetaMask from the App Store was attributed to Apple’s service policies, which prohibit apps from running “unrelated background processes,” including cryptocurrency mining.
MetaMask reassured users that the removal was temporary, expressing confidence that the app would soon be available again on the App Store.
This marked the second time MetaMask encountered challenges with major tech platforms. In December 2019, Google Play suspended the company from its app store, alleging a violation of financial services guidelines related to cryptocurrency mining. Despite MetaMask’s appeal, Google maintained the ban.
Furthermore, Apple’s guidelines impose a 30% transaction revenue sharing requirement on app developers. This policy has been a hurdle for crypto firms, particularly those seeking to enable iOS users to engage in activities like purchasing non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
The 30% Apple tax continues to pose challenges for companies operating in the cryptocurrency space on Apple’s platform.
