Is Google banning non-custodial (self-hosted) wallets from the Play Store? Custodial wallets are going to require a license in the US and EU to not get banned. Non-custodial wallets are not "in the scope" of the policy, replied Google.
Gestern wurde wieder über einen Angriff auf das Krypto-Ökosystem von Google berichtet. Google verbanne de facto non-custodial (self-hosted) Wallets aus dem (Android) Play Store, lautete der Vorwurf.
Eine upgedatete Richtlinie besagt, dass Wallets und Krypto-Börsen-Apps in der EU bzw. in den USA eine entsprechende staatliche Lizenz (zum Beispiel eine Crypto-Asset Service Provider-Lizenz in der EU), um überhaupt im Google Play Store gelistet werden zu können.
Daraufhin gab es auf X die Befürchtung, dass damit de facto auch alle self-hosted (non-custodial) Wallets von Google aus dem App-Store verbannt werden könnten, da diese aufgrund ihres dezentralen Ansatzes keine Lizenz besitzen bzw. beantragen können. Das würde auch die Hive Keychain-App betreffen, die ebenfalls eine non-custodial Wallet ist.
Mittlerweile gibt es aber auf der Richtlinien-Seite von Google einen Hinweis, dass die Regelung nicht non-custodial Wallets betrifft.
Der Fall zeigt aber die Macht von Google und von zentralisierten App-Stores. Damit können Big-Tech-Firmen de facto entscheiden, welche Apps die User installieren dürfen und welche nicht und damit eine (staatliche) Zensur ausüben.
Zu befürchten ist, dass Entwickler von Krypto-Wallets zunehmend unter Druck gesetzt werden, einen Zensurmechanismus und KYC sogar in non-custodial Wallets zu implementieren.
Was sagt ihr dazu? Sind die Befürchtungen eurer Meinung nach gerechtfertigt? Warum schützt Google die Interessen der User nicht, sondern man hat eher den Eindruck, dass sie willfährig mitmachen oder die Krypto-Branche sogar von sich aus bekämpfen?
ps. In der Vergangenheit gab es immer wieder Angriffe von Google/YouTube auf die Krypto- und FinTech-Branche. Krypto-Channels wurden gebannt, demonetarisiert, Krypto-Werbung undifferenziert verboten etc.
Google to ban non-licensed crypto wallets in the US and EU?
https://x.com/blocktrainer/status/1955716939260592504
https://x.com/BTC_Archive/status/1955700740996878586
Blocktrainer: Google verbannt non-custodial Krypto-Wallets aus dem Playstore!
https://www.blocktrainer.de/blog/google-verbannt-non-custodial-krypto-wallets-aus-dem-playstore
Google Play’s (Google Play Store) Cryptocurrency Exchanges and Software Wallets Policy
https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/16329703
Update: Non-custodial wallets are out of scope of the Cryptocurrency Exchanges and Software Wallets policy.
https://x.com/NewsFromGoogle/status/1955743865144795581
English
Yesterday, there were reports of another attack on the crypto ecosystem by Google. Google was accused to effectively banning non-custodial (self-hosted) wallets from the Google (Android) Play Store.
An updated policy states that wallets and crypto exchange apps in the EU and the US must have a corresponding government license (e.g., a crypto asset service provider license in the EU) in order to be listed in the Google Play Store.
This led to fears on X that all self-hosted (non-custodial) wallets could also be banned from the app store by Google, as they cannot obtain or apply for a license due to their decentralized approach. This would also affect the Hive Keychain app, which is also a non-custodial wallet.
However, Google's policy page now includes a note that the regulation does not apply to non-custodial wallets.
Nevertheless, the case demonstrates the power of Google and centralized app stores. This allows big tech companies to effectively decide which apps users are allowed to install and which they are not, thereby exercising (state) censorship.
It is to be feared that developers of crypto wallets will come under increasing pressure to implement a censorship mechanism and KYC even in non-custodial wallets.
What do you think? Are these fears justified in your opinion? Why is Google not protecting the interests of users, but instead giving the impression that it is complacently going along with or even actively fighting the crypto industry?
P.S. In the past, there have been repeated attacks by Google/YouTube against the crypto and FinTech industries. Crypto channels have been banned, demonetized, crypto advertising has been indiscriminately prohibited, etc.
It's the wish of the governments of the world to control enterprises, including wealth and money. It's to be noted too that they nurse an element of fear about decentralized platforms which they're not controlling.
And so, though the BigTech have denied this censorship attempt, it's still at the back of their mind to find a way to checkmate the freedom of the crypto space as time goes on.(No smoke without fire).
This therefore suggests that the decentralized platforms may not have to rely on BigTech companies forever.
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Yeah, think Big Tech is colluding with gov to control the ppl as much as possible. Unfortunately this means that our freedom is more and more restricted.
https://www.reddit.com/r/google/comments/1mpxldu/is_google_banning_noncustodial_selfhosted_wallets/
This post has been shared on Reddit by @uwelang through the HivePosh initiative.
Of course Google doesn't work for the benefit of users.
Meh EU is just a plague, for everything, they don't want people to be free to use crypto
!PIZZA
I think Google is getting tighter on its security regarding crypto channels
!BBH
I hope we get a warning before, wouldnt want to lose my coins
The good thing is that on Android you could install fdroid and install electrum wallet.
This just shows how much control big tech has over what people can access. Even if non custodial wallets are safe, the influence of app stores could easily shape which crypto apps survive so we need web 3 and blockchain more
These companies are already government.
I hope one day we will have a Decentralized app-store that will prevent situations like this one. Cryptocurrency only becomes what it was meant to be when all forms of centralised control are removed.
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This is the first time I heard about the news and It could affect a lot of users
This is worrying. Even if Google says non-custodial wallets aren’t affected, rules like these can still be used to limit choices and control the crypto space. Centralized platforms have a lot of power, and it’s hard to tell if they’re protecting users or just following strict regulations.
I think the fears are justified. The companies and government want to regulate as much as they can in order to control us.