advocacy Archives

AppWizard

May 28, 2025

Perspective – Why online privacy is vital: Insights from messaging app Signal’s president

Meredith Whittaker, president of Signal, emphasized the need for enhanced personal data protection and criticized major tech companies for their pervasive data collection practices with minimal oversight. She called for structural reforms to regulate user data management and highlighted that a few tech giants dominate data collection without adequate transparency. Whittaker advocated for comprehensive regulations to safeguard user privacy and protect free speech, reflecting growing concerns among consumers and privacy advocates about the balance between technology and individual rights.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

Microsoft fires employee who interrupted CEO’s speech to protest AI tech for Israeli military

An employee named Joe Lopez was terminated after protesting during Microsoft's Build developer conference, expressing concerns about the company's technology being used in the Gaza conflict. His disruption led to a series of pro-Palestinian protests at the event, resulting in multiple interruptions of executive talks and Microsoft cutting audio from a livestreamed session. Outside the venue, demonstrators gathered to amplify their message. Microsoft has a history of responding firmly to employee protests related to its operations in Israel and recently acknowledged providing AI services to the Israeli military but stated that there is no evidence of its technologies being used to target civilians. Following his protest, Lopez received a termination letter that he could not open, and an advocacy group claims Microsoft has restricted internal communications regarding terms like “Palestine” and “Gaza.” Microsoft has not commented on the protests during the conference.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

Microsoft fires employee who interrupted CEO’s speech to protest AI…

During Microsoft's annual Build developer conference in Seattle, software engineer Joe Lopez interrupted CEO Satya Nadella's address to protest the company's technology supply to the Israeli military amid the Gaza conflict. Lopez was escorted from the venue after shouting at Nadella. He later sent a mass email to colleagues challenging Microsoft's claims about its Azure cloud platform's use in Gaza. The conference saw multiple interruptions from pro-Palestinian protests, and demonstrators gathered outside. Microsoft acknowledged providing AI services to the Israeli military but stated there was no evidence linking its technologies to harm in Gaza. Lopez reportedly received a termination letter following his protest, and the advocacy group No Azure for Apartheid claimed Microsoft has restricted internal communications related to Palestine and Gaza.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

Windows 95 chime composer Brian Eno denounces Microsoft for its ties to Israeli government

Renowned musician Brian Eno announced he will donate the earnings from his Windows 95 startup chime to support those affected in Gaza. This decision follows scrutiny of Microsoft’s contracts with the Israeli government amid ongoing humanitarian crises. Eno criticized Microsoft for its involvement in operations contributing to violations of international law and called for the company to suspend services supporting such actions. Microsoft acknowledged its contracts with Israel’s Ministry of Defense but claimed an internal review found no evidence of its technologies targeting civilians in Gaza. Following the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, significant casualties have been reported in Gaza, with estimates of over 52,000 to as high as 109,000 deaths. Human rights organizations have accused Israel of war crimes. Protests by Microsoft employees have occurred, demanding accountability for the company's actions. Eno emphasized the need for artists and corporations to consider the implications of their contributions.

AppWizard

April 10, 2025

Women in Games and UK tech secretary call out Valve over sexual violence game on Steam

Dr. Marie-Claire Isaaman, CEO of Women in Games, has urged Valve to take action against a game on Steam that has been criticized for its disturbing themes, including incest and sexual violence. The game reportedly encourages players to "claim" their mother after an affair and contains graphic depictions of sexual activities, along with mentions of incest, blackmail, and non-consensual sex. Isaaman expressed that the game promotes themes of rape and misogynistic violence, contributing to the dehumanization of women and girls. She called for the game's removal and stronger content moderation policies from Valve. UK tech secretary Peter Kyle also stated that he expects Valve to remove the controversial title in accordance with legal requirements.

AppWizard

April 6, 2025

Wrong signal: Donald Trump shoots the messaging app instead of the messmaker

Maher became the non-executive chair at Web Summit after leaving her CEO position last year to lead NPR. She also chairs the Signal Foundation, known for its encrypted messaging service, which was used by Trump administration members during military planning in Yemen, leading to criticism from Trump supporters due to her previous comments about Trump and her advocacy for restricting free speech. Meanwhile, Gordon Hardie, CEO of O-I Glass, received a total compensation package of €1.46 million last year, which included a base salary of €682,322, stock awards, and additional benefits. The University of Limerick recently ceased posting on X due to declining engagement and concerns over content, though it remains open to reconsidering its stance. Peter Vandermeersch, CEO of Mediahuis Ireland, is writing a book titled “Ierland. Guinness, God en Google,” which will explore various aspects of Irish life and culture.

AppWizard

March 25, 2025

New report reveals top Trump admin. officials discussed classified information on messaging app

A judge compared the due process received by Nazis to that of Venezuelans facing deportation under the Trump administration. High-ranking officials from the Trump administration discussed classified military operations on the messaging app Signal, raising security concerns. A GOP senator admitted that claiming Social Security will remain untouched is disingenuous. GOP Senator Curtis clarified that Elon Musk's comments on potential cuts were merely suggestions rather than specific policy advocacy. A GOP senator indicated that impeachment of a judge who ruled against Trump is unlikely. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer reaffirmed his commitment to his position amid internal party pressure and expressed concerns about a constitutional crisis in American democracy. Canadian officials responded to Trump's tariffs by stating that "nothing is off the table" regarding retaliatory measures. Trump asserted that he will have the final say in deportation cases, prompting discussions about the need for a nuanced approach to immigration policy.

AppWizard

February 20, 2025

Ex-Sony Exec Says PC Ports of Old PS5 Games Are Almost Like Printing Money

Sony has been expanding its portfolio of classic games onto the PC platform, driven by the recognition of the potential market and financial benefits. Shuhei Yoshida, former head of PlayStation Studios, advocated for this shift, noting that releasing games on PC allows access to new audiences, particularly in regions where consoles are less popular, such as China. He highlighted that porting games to PC is cost-effective compared to developing new titles, providing additional income to invest in new projects. Despite concerns from some fans about the impact on the PlayStation brand, Yoshida mentioned that many titles are released on PC years after their console launch, ensuring that console owners have experienced the games first.

AppWizard

February 5, 2025

Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. isn’t just a PC port of a 19-year-old game: it’s the reason a diehard fighting game community can ‘finally reach out and play with each other across the world’

Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. is a recent addition to the Virtua Fighter franchise, which originally debuted in Japanese arcades in 2006. The game was released on Steam last week, marking the series' first appearance on PC since the Windows 95 ports. R.E.V.O. features rollback netcode to enhance online play, allowing players from different regions to connect seamlessly. The game introduces balance changes for the first time in over a decade, inviting both new and veteran players to explore it anew. The Virtua Fighter community has actively sought to welcome new players through tournaments and online platforms, and Sega has responded positively to their advocacy.

BetaBeacon

December 13, 2024

Epic Games secures deal to preinstall Fortnite onto Android phones in UK and Spain

Epic Games has partnered with Telefónica to preinstall the Epic Games Store and Fortnite on Android phones in the UK, Germany, Spain, and Spanish-speaking territories of Latin America. This partnership aims to make these games more accessible on millions of Telefónica Android devices and create a more competitive ecosystem for Android players.