Mac security guru Patrick Wardle noted last week that in addition to the advertised functions of removing adware and malware from Macs, the software also collected people's personal data including their browsing history, then transmitted that data as a password-protected archive to a server on the internet. While neither Apple nor Trend has responded to a request for comment on the matter, the removals are almost certainly a response to reports in recent days that the products appeared to covertly collect and upload private user data. Its website today still links to the downloads even though they are no longer available.
It is not entirely clear yet whether Apple took action itself and stripped the info-collecting software from its online macOS application store, or if Trend Micro pulled the apps itself following complaints. Trend Micro anti-malware tools have vanished from Apple's Mac App Store – after they were spotted harvesting and siphoning off users' browser histories.ĭr Cleaner, Dr Antivirus, and App Uninstall – utilities owned by the Japan-headquartered security house and distributed on the Mac App Store – are no longer available for download. Trend Micro tools tossed from Apple's Mac App Store after spewing fans' browser histories