Liftoff Mobile App Secretly Mining Crypto on Users Phones, Claims Go Viral
Viral claims are spreading across social media this week that the popular advertising platform Liftoff Mobile has been secretly using its SDK to mine cryptocurrency on users’ smartphones without their knowledge. Posts cite a supposed “whistleblower leak” showing code that activates during screen-off periods, prompting fears of battery drain, overheating, and privacy violations.
The Verdict: Fake. Experts at cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes have analyzed the alleged code, confirming it is a hoax. Liftoff Mobile operates as a mobile performance marketing and ad attribution tool. It does not include any crypto mining functionality. The viral posts stem from a satirical tech blog that was reposted without context. Users are advised to verify app permissions and stick to official app stores, but there is no evidence of Liftoff Mobile compromising devices in this manner.