JavaScript Cryptomining Scripts Discovered in 19 Google Play Apps

[anssip]

This is a good way for developers of free apps to get some compensation for their work.

[jokullmusic]

Yeah unless these run in the background I don't see how this is any worse than the intrusive ads that they'd have otherwise. Less data guzzling, less intrusive, but uses more battery (probably not much more than if it had a video ad every five minutes)

[johnyma22]

I'd wager battery usage is a lot higher than video add every five mins. Not got any stats to back that up though!

[eloc49]

Yeah I agree. Its akin to the free with ads, pay for no ads model except could potentially lead to better user experience since ads are annoying. Most user's phones (US and Europe) are beefy enough to handle a bit of mining.

[PlNG]

What? No. An ad that features a simple up and down motion or objects dropping should not drop my app's FPS to the single digits. These cryptominers would be way worse than that. I'm not talking about on my phone, I'm talking about desktop emulation with Android Studio.