The data collection app, called Freecash, quickly rose to the top charts on the App Store and Google Play, where it remained for several months until it was recently banned, apparently deceiving users.
If you’ve been on TikTok this year, you’ve probably come across an ad for FreeCash. The app, touted as a way to earn money just by scrolling through TikTok, has rocketed to the top of app stores in recent months, peaking at No. 2 on the US App Store.
In fact, Freecash collects tons of sensitive data while paying users to play mobile games, according to cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes.
The Malwarebytes report notes that the app may collect information about users’ race, religion, sex life, sexual orientation, health status, and other biometrics, adding that the app is essentially a data broker that attempts to match game developers with users who want to install and spend money on mobile games. Games promoted for free cash include Monopoly Go and Disney Solitaire.
Following Wired’s January report that Freecash used deceptive marketing techniques to induce users to spend money on games, TikTok removed some of Freecash’s ads, saying the company violated its financial misrepresentation rules. At the time, Freecash denied any involvement, saying the ads were not generated by itself but by a third-party affiliate.
On Monday, Apple removed Freecash from the App Store after being contacted by TechCrunch for comment. As of Monday afternoon, the app was still listed on the Google Play Store.
Asked for comment, Almedia, the German-based company that owns FreeCash, denied allegations of driving artificial traffic to its platform or using deceptive marketing techniques.
tech crunch event
San Francisco, California
|
October 13-15, 2026
“Our app is fully compliant with Apple App Store and Google Play Store policies, as evidenced by the fact that it is live and regularly passes platform reviews,” says an email signed “Almedia Press Office” from Almedia PR Manager James Law. “We do not comment on internal product strategy regarding specific app listings.”
The question remains how an app like Freecash was able to use social media advertising and other partnerships to rise to the top of app stores. App downloads soared from 876,000 in October 2025 to 5.5 million across global app stores in January 2026, according to data from market intelligence firm Appfigures.
This growth has brought the app to number two in the US App Store. Thanks to organic discovery and other marketing efforts, it has remained in the top five almost every day since January 8th. It reached number 7 overall on Google Play, according to Appfigures.
Appfigures told TechCrunch that Freecash downloads peaked in February at nearly 6 million downloads, but have been on the decline since then. Current estimates were that the app was expected to be installed about 3 million times in April.
But Freecash’s game extends beyond misleading TikToks, the possibility of fake ratings, suspiciously lucrative Google backlinks, and the obvious use of bots to drive traffic to the app.
Possibility of bait and switch tactics
Before Freecash rose to the top of Apple and Google’s app stores, it was created with two different developer accounts.
Third-party data from market intelligence provider Appfigures shows that Almedia GmbH, the German company developing the Freecash app, first submitted Freecash to the Apple App Store on March 24, 2024, but it was removed approximately two months later, on June 13, 2024 (Appmagic announced it would be removed on June 12, see below).
According to Appfigures, this version of the app was downloaded an estimated 69,500 times before it was removed.
A few months later, a second app that was already in the store, developed by Cyprus-based company 256 Rewards Ltd, was rebranded to “Freecash” and an update was sent under that app’s ID, according to third-party data.
It is unclear whether Almedia acquired the Cyprus-based development company, originally called Rewards, or whether it simply acquired the developer account. Rewards appears to no longer have a functioning website or social media, and the company’s team has since moved on to a new company, Pushed. (Rewards’ co-founders did not respond to requests for comment about the old company sent through the new company’s email.)
Almedia’s re-entry into the App Store through a separate developer account may have been a way to circumvent the earlier Freecash app ban. Re-entering the App Store using a different developer after being banned is a common tactic, although it is against the rules. (A spokesperson for Almedia declined to comment on the previous app removal.)
A Washington Post report on the scam app ecosystem noted this trend, highlighting several scam apps that disappear from the App Store and then reappear under different developer accounts. Other independent studies have documented this tactic, with fraudulent app owners often reporting to operate a portfolio of accounts.
It’s unclear whether Almedia has adopted a similar approach to approving the Freecash app, but what is clear is that the Rewards app was renamed Freecash just five months ago and quickly shot to the top of the Apple and Google stores. A company spokesperson declined to say whether the original app was banned for violating policies.
Apple’s App Store guidelines prohibit apps that attempt to circumvent bans or otherwise deceive the App Review system.
TechCrunch reached out to Apple for comment, and the company removed Freecash from its App Store on Monday, citing misleading marketing and violating its rules. Apple pointed TechCrunch to two App Store review guidelines, 3.1.2(a) and 2.3.1, which prohibit defrauding users, engaging in bait-and-switch tactics, or marketing apps in a misleading manner.
Additionally, Apple’s Developer Program License Agreement also states that developers may not engage in any unlawful, unfair, misleading, deceptive, inappropriate, or deceptive conduct or business practices in connection with their apps. Apple said this includes bait-and-switch pricing, misrepresentations to consumers, deceptive business practices, or unfair competition with other developers.
Almedia may have done something similar with the Google Play Store. According to Appfigures, the company’s original app (developer ID com.freecash.twa — see above) was removed in January 2024. The current Freecash app is listed with a different developer ID (com.freecash.app2). Google said it is investigating the issue.
As of Friday, April 10th, Freecash was ranked 7th in the US App Store and 13th in Google Play.
Despite reports of deceptive marketing tactics, Freecash received a very high review score of 4.7 stars. It’s not uncommon or particularly difficult for brands to falsify reviews online, but a high rating could mean it wasn’t flagged for removal by Apple.
In a statement, Apple told TechCrunch that users should report apps they believe are involved in fraud or abuse through the reportaproblem.apple.com website.
Source link
