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Apps with millions of Google Play downloads covertly mine cryptocurrency

arstechnica.com

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Re: Apps with millions of Google Play downloads covertly mine cryptocurrency

#61

Post by maxerickson »

jlcummings wrote: post #60
Cthulhu_ wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm inclined to believe that things like this could just be an alternative to ads. Ads take up CPU, battery life and bandwidth too (although a relatively small amount compared to coin mining). Alternative income source, I guess.

Taking that further, I would much rather be used as a fractional miner than provide unhindered, across the board access to personal transportable data and per device usage from the device. Providing a user with means to throttle or govern the mining seems appropriate even if not explicit. If I am trying to use my device put the virtual mining crew on break and dont check back for at least 20 minutes. Secondly, exclus…

It will frequently be the case that it would be cheaper for the user to simply buy whatever credits are being mined with their resources (which means that many of them won't knowingly run miners).

Re: Apps with millions of Google Play downloads covertly mine cryptocurrency

#62

Post by rplnt »

Tloewald wrote: post #57
rplnt wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A theft? Do you consider all installed apps to be stealing then?

Seriously? An app that does what it says isn't stealing from you. An app that runs up your electricity bill and damages your phone without disclosing its behavior is clearly a different matter.

We're not talking about damaging the phone now. As for electricity, lousy developers steal it as well. What's the difference if the stealthy app does what it says and is reasonable about mining? The cost for user is negligible.

Edit: Just a note, I'm not saying this is OK for apps to do, but to call it a theft is ridiculous.

Re: Apps with millions of Google Play downloads covertly mine cryptocurrency

#64

Post by termain »

inheritancejon wrote: post #33
negrit wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The severity of financial impact on the victim is irrelevant. Not if it actually damage some parts of the phone like the battery because you have to charge it more often.

I agree, its theft. If I borrow your bicycle all the time without you knowing it may be innocent enough, but it still causes wear and tear on the bicycle. I am thieving bicycle time from you that you paid for. If I had simply asked for it, you couldn't blame me, but alas I took it without your consent. [edit] Do either of these apps explicitly state that they will access/use device in this way?

No it's not theft, it's conversion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conversion_(law)

Re: Apps with millions of Google Play downloads covertly mine cryptocurrency

#65

Post by jarrett »

rplnt wrote: post #62
Tloewald wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Seriously? An app that does what it says isn't stealing from you. An app that runs up your electricity bill and damages your phone without disclosing its behavior is clearly a different matter.

We're not talking about damaging the phone now. As for electricity, lousy developers steal it as well. What's the difference if the stealthy app does what it says and is reasonable about mining? The cost for user is negligible. Edit: Just a note, I'm not saying this is OK for apps to do, but to call it a theft is ridiculous.

> As for electricity, lousy developers steal it as well. What's the difference if the stealthy app does what it says and is reasonable about mining?

I can think of at least two differences. First, the developer profits from one but not the other. Second, the developer intended one but not the other.

We evaluate the morality of accidental waste differently from that of deliberate taking for personal gain.

Re: Apps with millions of Google Play downloads covertly mine cryptocurrency

#67

Post by jlcummings »

maxerickson wrote: post #61
jlcummings wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Taking that further, I would much rather be used as a fractional miner than provide unhindered, across the board access to personal transportable data and per device usage from the device. Providing a user with means to throttle or govern the mining seems appropriate even if not explicit. If I am trying to use my device put the virtual mining crew on break and dont check back for at least 20 minutes. Secondly, exclus…

It will frequently be the case that it would be cheaper for the user to simply buy whatever credits are being mined with their resources (which means that many of them won't knowingly run miners).

Today, perhaps and most likely in all but a few cases. That doesn't preclude a shift or evolution of platforms to more efficiently provide that capability as a built in.

Re: Apps with millions of Google Play downloads covertly mine cryptocurrency

#68

Post by userbinator »

jarrett wrote: post #65
rplnt wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We're not talking about damaging the phone now. As for electricity, lousy developers steal it as well. What's the difference if the stealthy app does what it says and is reasonable about mining? The cost for user is negligible. Edit: Just a note, I'm not saying this is OK for apps to do, but to call it a theft is ridiculous.

> As for electricity, lousy developers steal it as well. What's the difference if the stealthy app does what it says and is reasonable about mining? I can think of at least two differences. First, the developer profits from one but not the other. Second, the developer intended one but not the other. We evaluate the morality of accidental waste differently from that of deliberate taking for personal gain.

> We evaluate the morality of accidental waste differently from that of deliberate taking for personal gain.

On the other hand, if you look at this from another perspective, inefficient software wasting power means no one gains. If the same power was being used for mining, then someone gains. If I were forced to choose between these two alternatives, I would definitely pick the latter.

Re: Apps with millions of Google Play downloads covertly mine cryptocurrency

#70

Post by [deleted] »

yen223 wrote: post #50
UweSchmidt wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's the disdain for the user. Take their data, use their CPUs, whatever. Users are dumb, they won't notice, and hey, the app's free anyway. Back in the day, the software on my "Personal Computer" was my friend. It was all wonderful things to have and to learn about. Looking at my smartphone that's right here on my table, it's shiny, but I've long felt a distinct lack of control over the thing. And now this: Hello -…

"Users are dumb, they won't notice, and hey, the app's free anyway." Maybe we've stumbled on a great alternative to the freemium model?

[deleted]
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