Apple Did Pull Calendar App That Mined Cryptocurrency From Mac App Store, Citing Excessive Use of Device Resources

Yesterday, it was discovered that a Mac App Store app called Calendar 2 had implemented a cryptocurrency mining feature that users could elect to use to unlock in-app features rather than paying cash, raising questions about whether Apple planned to allow such apps in the Mac App Store.

Calendar 2 was mining a digital coin known as Monero, and initially, Apple was slow to respond to questions from Ars Technica about whether or not such a feature was permissible, resulting in the app staying in the Mac App Store for a good 24 hours after Apple knew of its existence. Shortly after widespread media reports about the cryptocurrency mining feature circulated the app disappeared from the Mac App Store, but at the time, it was not clear if it was Apple that removed the app or the app's developer.

calendar2moneromining
As it turns out, the app was indeed pulled by Apple. According to Greg Magarshak, CEO of Qbix, the company behind the Calendar 2 app, Apple removed the app from the Mac App Store for violating rule 2.4.2, which states that apps should not put an unnecessary strain on device resources.

Design your app to use power efficiently. Apps should not rapidly drain battery, generate excessive heat, or put unnecessary strain on device resources.

The Calendar 2 app was supposed to be using currency mining as an opt-in feature, but it was riddled with bugs causing the mining feature to use excessive resources and run regardless of whether or not users opted in, which is what drew so much attention to it. Just before the app was pulled from the Mac App Store by Apple, Magarshak promised to remove the feature from future versions of Calendar 2 because of these issues.

As of today, the Calendar 2 app is back in the Mac App Store. Magarshak said on Twitter that he worked with Apple to get a new version of the app released that has no mining features. As an apology for the snafu, all Calendar 2 users, new and old, will be provided with upgraded features for free for a year following the app's next update. Calendar 2 uses should update immediately as the older version of the app continues to include the miner.

Magarshak tells MacRumors that Calendar 2 brought in approximately $2,000 from mining Monero, and the company says the funds will be used "towards improving features for our users going forward."

Though the cryptocurrency mining feature made it past Apple's review team and into the Mac App Store, it appears that based on Apple's response and the rule violation cited, Apple will not be letting Mac App Store apps use background cryptocurrency mining as a way to unlock premium features within apps.

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Top Rated Comments

Baymowe335 Avatar
96 months ago
Apple wants their 30%. No way they can get it if you're using cryptocurrency mining in lieu of the Apple advertising platform.
Apple doesnt want thei customers’ devices being used as mining devices or even the IDEA that it is OK. Shocked as you may be, this is peanuts for Apple. There are situations they ACTUALLY look out for their customers, even if it’s self serving in the end.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pjny Avatar
96 months ago
They should have banned the developer for this kind of crap.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
charlesdayton Avatar
96 months ago
Apple wants their 30%. No way they can get it if you're using cryptocurrency mining in lieu of the Apple advertising platform.
Apple simply doesn't want consumers to complain their Macs are running slow due to an app using resources for mining bitcoin. Plus the possible ethical issue of mining. Simple. No hidden agenda.

And what advertising platform are you talking about??? iAd was discontinued years ago.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
charlesdayton Avatar
96 months ago
When are they going to pull Angry Birds?
When the app violates the terms of the Appstore.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jecowa Avatar
96 months ago
This is cancer. Is there a way to completely block an app from accessing the Internet? I can block an app from using cellular data, but I don't think there's a way to block an app from using WiFi data.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Groking Avatar
96 months ago
Apple wants their 30%. No way they can get it if you're using cryptocurrency mining in lieu of the Apple advertising platform.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)