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Indian Govt Wants Over 100 Apps From China Blocked On Android App Store: All Details
AppWizard
February 20, 2025

Indian Govt Wants Over 100 Apps From China Blocked On Android App Store: All Details

The Indian government has ordered the blocking of approximately 119 Chinese apps, following previous bans on platforms like TikTok and ShareIt since 2020. The focus is primarily on video and voice chat applications from China and Hong Kong. Despite the order, only 15 apps have been effectively removed, with over 100 still accessible on the Play Store. Developers are confused about their inclusion on the list and seek clarity on the perceived risks. The government cites national security concerns as the reason for the bans, and Google is required to comply with legal requests to remove these apps from the app store.
New PostgreSQL Zero-Day Potentially Leveraged in BeyondTrust Attacks
Tech Optimizer
February 14, 2025

New PostgreSQL Zero-Day Potentially Leveraged in BeyondTrust Attacks

Tulsi Gabbard, the newly appointed U.S. Director of National Intelligence, is involved in a debate over digital privacy and national security due to the UK's reported directive to Apple to create a backdoor for accessing encrypted iCloud data. U.S. lawmakers, including Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Andy Biggs, have expressed concerns that such a backdoor could compromise data security and expose sensitive information to unauthorized access and cyber threats. They argue that this policy could have global implications for data protection standards. Gabbard's response to the issue may impact the U.S. stance on encryption and privacy.
Russia uses messaging apps to recruit terrorists, Ukraine's police says
AppWizard
February 12, 2025

Russia uses messaging apps to recruit terrorists, Ukraine’s police says

Russian intelligence agencies are using digital platforms to recruit Ukrainian citizens for terrorism, targeting vulnerable individuals such as the young, unemployed, and those with antisocial lifestyles. Many recruits face death or imprisonment instead of receiving promised payments. Ukrainian authorities have recorded nine attempted terrorist attacks this year, believed to be orchestrated by Russian intelligence, aiming to destabilize Ukraine and undermine public trust in its security. Telegram is a favored platform for Russian operatives to recruit individuals for disinformation campaigns and cyberattacks. Additionally, a recent espionage initiative recruited Ukrainian teenagers under the guise of “quest games” to gather intelligence for Russian forces. In September, a local individual was arrested for setting up surveillance cameras for Russian intelligence, having been recruited via Telegram with promises of easy money.
App drivers plan to ‘log off’ in pay and conditions campaign
AppWizard
February 6, 2025

App drivers plan to ‘log off’ in pay and conditions campaign

The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has announced a strike involving drivers from Uber, Bolt, and Addison Lee on February 14, from 4 PM to 10 PM, across major cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham, and Brighton. The strike aims to address low pay and precarious working conditions, advocating for improved pay structures, job security, and safety measures like rider ID verification and complaint tracking systems. Drivers reportedly work between 70 and 80 hours a week to make ends meet. Nader Awaad, chairman of the IWGB, emphasized the need for fair compensation and criticized the industry's profits at the expense of drivers. Addison Lee expressed confidence that the strike would not disrupt services, while Uber defended its practices, stating that drivers earn at least the national living wage and receive holiday pay and pension benefits.
Microsoft addresses Windows vulnerability with PowerShell script
Winsage
February 5, 2025

Microsoft addresses Windows vulnerability with PowerShell script

Microsoft has introduced a PowerShell script, KB5053484, to address the 2023 BlackLotus Secure Boot vulnerability (CVE-2023-24932) in Windows operating systems. This update targets Windows-bootable media and aligns with the new Secure Boot Certificate Authority (CA) released in February 2024, replacing the outdated CA from 2011. The BlackLotus vulnerability allows attackers to bypass Secure Boot in Windows 10 and 11, potentially injecting harmful code at the UEFI level. The update is available immediately to enhance security against this threat.
KB5053484: Microsoft shares new PowerShell script for updated Windows 11/10 boot media
Winsage
February 5, 2025

KB5053484: Microsoft shares new PowerShell script for updated Windows 11/10 boot media

In February 2024, Microsoft announced the rollout of new 2023 Secure Boot Certificate Authority (CA) keys to replace the 2011 certificates that were introduced with Windows 8. This initiative began with Patch Tuesday updates, specifically KB5034765 for Windows 11 and KB5034763 for Windows 10, as the 2011 certificates are set to expire in 2026. Microsoft released a PowerShell script, Make2023BootableMedia.ps1, to update Windows bootable media for compatibility with the new Windows UEFI CA 2023 certificate, addressing the Black Lotus Secure Boot vulnerability (CVE-2023-24932). The script can update various types of bootable media, including ISO files, USB drives, and local or network drive paths. Users must have the latest Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (Windows ADK) for the script to function properly, and it should be executed from an elevated PowerShell prompt with the appropriate media source provided. Comprehensive details are available in the KB5053484 support article on Microsoft's website.
Russian authorities reportedly weigh blocking messaging app calls
AppWizard
December 24, 2024

Russian authorities reportedly weigh blocking messaging app calls

Russia's Digital Development Ministry and the federal censorship agency Roskomnadzor are considering changes to the regulation of voice calls through messaging apps to address rising fraud. They are evaluating a potential ban on such calls or restrictions on those originating from abroad, as around 40% of calls through these platforms are fraudulent, with 70% traced to foreign numbers. Telecom operators have expressed concerns about their inability to block these calls independently and are seeking collaboration with Roskomnadzor and messaging app developers. Roskomnadzor has the technological means to block calls if apps violate Russian law, but the Digital Development Ministry is not currently drafting regulations to restrict voice traffic on messaging apps and remains open to industry proposals.
Controversial messaging app Telegram is profitable, says its founder. Here's how it makes money.
AppWizard
December 24, 2024

Controversial messaging app Telegram is profitable, says its founder. Here’s how it makes money.

Encrypted messaging service Telegram has achieved profitability after 11 years of operation, with revenue surpassing billion in 2024 and cash reserves of 0 million. CEO Pavel Durov attributed this success to advertising and premium subscriptions. The company introduced initiatives like a revenue-sharing model for content creators and a premium subscription tier priced at .99 per month. Telegram has reduced its billion debt and noted a significant turnaround from the previous year, when it reported a loss of million on revenues of million. Despite its financial success, the platform faces global scrutiny over misinformation and limited content moderation, with bans in several countries and a history of being prohibited in Russia from 2018 to 2020.
Telegram founder says messaging app profitable for first time
AppWizard
December 23, 2024

Telegram founder says messaging app profitable for first time

Pavel Durov, founder and CEO of Telegram, announced that the platform achieved a net profit for the first time in 2024, with annual revenues exceeding one billion dollars. Telegram has over 950 million users and has shifted to a monetization model that includes paid subscriptions and advertisements since 2021, resulting in a tripling of premium service subscribers to 12 million. The company has cash reserves exceeding 0 million, excluding cryptocurrency assets. Durov faced legal issues in France related to content management but criticized the authorities' approach. Telegram is using artificial intelligence for content moderation to address misuse, while asserting that 99.999 percent of its users do not engage in criminal activities.
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