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Apple Pulls Viral Freecash App From App Store Over Misleading Marketing

The removal follows reports that Freecash harvested sensitive data to funnel users into spending in third-party games.

Overview

  • Apple removed Freecash after a TechCrunch inquiry, citing Review Guidelines 3.1.2(a) and 2.3.1 that prohibit scams, bait‑and‑switch tactics, and misleading marketing.
  • Freecash spread through TikTok promos that promised $35 an hour to watch videos, and TikTok later pulled some ads for breaking its financial‑misrepresentation rules.
  • Malwarebytes reported that the app collected sensitive details such as race, religion, health information, sexual orientation, and biometrics to profile users.
  • Appfigures estimated 5.5 million downloads in January 2026 that pushed the app to No. 2 on the U.S. App Store, with investigators also noting signs of fake ratings and bot‑driven traffic.
  • Third‑party data shows the developer reentered the App Store by rebranding an existing app under a different account, and the app remains on Google Play as Google reviews a second developer ID.