How the rewards app Freecash scammed its way to the top of the app stores | TechCrunch

Last day to exhibit your breakthrough to 10,000+ tech leaders at Disrupt is on Oct 2. Book Exhibit Table Now. Disrupt doors open Oct. 13. Get your pass and bring someone with you at 50% off. REGISTER NOW. A data harvesting app called Freecash appears to have tricked users as it quickly rose to the top charts on the App Store and Google Play, where it sat for months until a recent ban. If you’ve been on TikTok this year, you’ve more than likely encountered ads for Freecash. The app has been marketed as a way to make money just by scrolling TikTok — and jumped to the top of the app stores in recent months, peaking at the No. 2 position in the U.S. App Store. In truth, Freecash pays users to play mobile games — all the while collecting a heaping amount of sensitive data, according to cybersecurity company Malwarebytes. A Malwarebytes report notes that the app may collect information about users’ race, religion, sex life, sexual orientation, health, and other biometrics, adding that the app is essentially a data broker looking to match game developers with users who are willing to install and spend money on mobile games. Games promoted on Freecash include Monopoly Go and Disney Solitai