- MetaMask was briefly removed from the Apple App Store and reinstated due to an internal operational error.
- MetaMask issue was promptly acknowledged by a presumed spokesperson, potentially Taylor Monahan, with a quick response.
- Elo Gimenez of ConsenSys confirmed no security risk and urged users to report fake MetaMask apps.
MetaMask, a widely used cryptocurrency wallet app, experienced a brief removal from the Apple App Store in the United States this past Saturday. However, it was swiftly reinstated after a few hours. The temporary removal was attributed to “an internal operational error from our side,” according to a MetaMask representative, and was not a result of any action by Apple.
Initially, the incident was brought to light by a Twitter user with the handle @WatcherGuru. In a prompt response, an account that seemingly belonged to a MetaMask spokesperson acknowledged the problem, indicating that the MetaMask team was already aware of the situation.
“We’re aware, working on figuring out what happened, and resolving the issue ASAP,” responded @tayvano_, who is presumed to be Taylor Monahan, the lead product manager for MetaMask. She further urged users to report any counterfeit MetaMask apps within the App Store, emphasizing the risk posed by the removal of legitimate apps, as it can create space for malicious applications and phishing attempts. Shortly thereafter, an official response from the @MetaMask account superseded her initial statement.
Elo Gimenez, the Global Director of Public Relations at blockchain firm ConsenSys, verified the removal and assured Decrypt that the problem was unrelated to any malicious activity. Gimenez said:
“Importantly, this is not a security concern, and there is no compromise or action required on users’ part. Additionally, it’s not related to the app’s functionality.”
Elo Gimenez, the Global Director of Public Relations at ConsenSys
He also reiterated Monahan’s request for help from the crypto community.
“If users come across any fake MetaMask apps on the App Store, we kindly ask them to report those immediately,” she said. “Our top priority is to get this sorted out quickly and protect users from any fake apps.” She continued, stating that their dedicated team is working diligently to resolve the issue as quickly as possible, with the expectation that MetaMask will soon be available again on the App Store.
By midday on Saturday, the app had been restored.
Other cryptocurrency wallet apps, such as Coinbase, Uniswap, and Binance, continued to be accessible in the App Store during the incident. It’s worth noting that in December 2022, Dan Finlay, the co-founder and co-lead developer of MetaMask, openly criticized Apple’s App Store policies when they removed the Coinbase app, expressing his frustration by stating, “I’m prepared to move away from the Apple ecosystem.”
