–:–:–:– The first StrictlyVC of 2026 hits San Francisco. Tickets are going fast. Register now. Save up to $680 on your Disrupt 2026 pass. Ends 11:59 p.m. PT tonight. REGISTER NOW. Close Image Credits:Bryce Durbin / TechCrunch Apps How the rewards app Freecash scammed its way to the top of the app stores Sarah Perez 9:43 AM PDT · April 14, 2026 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…
Published: April 14, 2026 4:43 pm
Source: TechCrunch — Read original