By
Bena Ilyas
April 10th, 2024
MetaMask, which enables users to run Ethereum Dapps, announced its removal from the Chrome Web Store, the reasons for which were not explained. Several hours later, it was listed again.
MetaMask, a popular Google Chrome plugin for interacting with the Ethereum network, is back to the Google Chrome Web Store, several hours after disappearing from there.
MetaMask is an innovative plugin that allows its users to run Ethereum dApps right in their browser without running a full Ethereum node. On June 25th, MetaMask announced on its Twitter that it was removed from the Google Chrome web store. There was no word from either the MetaMask team or Google to explain the case.
PSA: MetaMask has been delisted from the Chrome Web Store. We are unsure of why this is the case and we will update everyone as we get more information. All other browsers are unaffected.
— MetaMask 🦊💙 (@MetaMask) July 25, 2018
Other MetaMask-compatible browsers which remained unaffected include Brave, Firefox, and Opera.
In another tweet, MetaMask stated that those having the extension installed should be able to use it in the short term, but new installs would be unavailable for some time. The extension can be used as a secure wallet, allowing users to manage multiple wallets through its easy-to-use system.
If you already have the Chrome extension installed, you should be unaffected in the short term and your extension should work (knocks on wood). We hope to resolve this quickly, but future installs are still available on @brave, @firefox, and @opera.
— MetaMask 🦊💙 (@MetaMask) July 25, 2018
Further, MetaMask gave some brief directions to help users in transition to the Brave browser which provides more privacy for its users than traditional web browsers.
If installing Brave, go to preferences, select extensions, then enable MetaMask. If you are restoring a seed phrase, follow the steps on our support article here: https://t.co/5tUSf5y6wl
— MetaMask 🦊💙 (@MetaMask) July 25, 2018
The MetaMask has thousands of users, that’s why the announcement was quickly met with confusion and outrage aimed at Google Chrome. One Twitter user gained support in the form of tweet likes by saying that “it is time for revolution.” Many users believe that the announcement is a move taken against a cryptocurrency-related piece of software in a bid to beat down the crypto industry.
It is time for revolution! Use Brave browser!
— fable.eth🦇🔊 (@fable_eth) July 25, 2018
Another user was not so critical of Google:
Chrome has banned crypto mining addons. They are probably using an automated system that banned Metamask based on keywords that are similar to those in mining addons.
— The Cryptophiliac (@thecryptophilia) July 25, 2018
While MetaMask was delisted, an Ethereum-based prediction market protocol Augur, which recently got under fire for speculating on death benefits, warned users to not download the MetaMask extension that was actually present in Google Chrome’s store, as it was a fake application.
The @metamask_io currently listed in the @googlechrome app store is a fake, phishing app. Do NOT download. The real MetaMask extension has been removed this morning without explanation. Follow @metamask_io for updates. pic.twitter.com/4CPS3wfFqE
— Augur (@AugurProject) July 25, 2018
A few hours later, MetaMask announced it was back on the Chrome Web Store. But it is still unclear what were the reasons for the sudden lack of Chrome support for the MetaMask plugin.