BitTorrent removes bitcoin miner in new release of µTorrent

BitTorrent has decided to release a new release of µTorrent to make it clearer to users of the torrent client that it has removed the controversial bitcoin miner from the installer.

Version 3.4.2 of µTorrent was bundled with the so-called Epic Scale miner. This tool uses the processor to mine bitcoins. Users complained that the software installed the Epic Scale miner without approval in some cases. Also, the software would be difficult to remove and systems become noticeably slower when the miner is active.

After a wave of criticism, BitTorrent apologized and stated that it was an error of judgment. It also decided to remove the miner from the µTorrent installer. However, this caused confusion, as the version number of the popular torrent client remained the same. BitTorrent has since released a new release with version number 3.4.3 without miner components, TorrentFreak writes. According to the software company, this should provide more clarity about the fact that it no longer packs the controversial module in its applications. The so-called main client also no longer contains the miner software.

BitTorrent warns that there are still versions of µTorrent circulating on the web that contain the Epic Scale miner. Users are therefore advised to download the torrent client only from the official site.