ban Archives

AppWizard

July 16, 2025

All signal, no substance VK’s Max app aims to replace WhatsApp, but the Russian celebrities paid to promote it have found just one selling point: it works

VK is promoting its new messaging app, Max, by enlisting internet personalities and celebrities to enhance its visibility. The app is currently in beta testing and is positioned as a potential alternative to WhatsApp, especially if Russian authorities restrict access to foreign messaging platforms. Notable figures like Daria Zoteeva and Valentina Karnaukhova have praised Max for its voice call quality, sharing positive personal experiences. As of June 30, VK reported one million registered users within three months, and by early July, user numbers reportedly exceeded two million following the introduction of group video calls.

AppWizard

July 15, 2025

Nintendo banned a Switch 2 user for playing second-hand games and only reinstated after providing proof of purchase

A Switch 2 owner, known as dmanthey on Reddit, was banned by Nintendo after attempting to play second-hand Switch 1 games purchased from Facebook Marketplace. This incident highlights Nintendo's strict enforcement of its intellectual property rights and digital rights management (DRM) policies. The company recently updated its online user agreement, allowing it to permanently disable services for users who violate terms, which can include actions like modding hardware or using pirated games. The specifics of what triggers a ban are unclear, raising concerns for new Switch 2 owners about inadvertently violating these policies. The situation underscores issues of ownership in the digital age, particularly for consumers who have invested in Nintendo's latest console.

Winsage

July 12, 2025

Russian Developers Urge Ban on Microsoft Windows for School Exams

The Domestic Software Association, representing over 300 Russian IT companies, is advocating for a ban on Microsoft’s Windows operating system during school examinations, citing a conflict with a presidential decree banning foreign software in government institutions starting January 2025. The association expressed concerns in a letter to the Digital Development Ministry, the Education Ministry, and Rosobrnadzor regarding a directive that mandates the Unified State Exam be conducted solely on Windows. They are promoting the use of domestic operating systems like Astra Linux and urging revisions to exam preparation guidelines to include Russian office software suites. New federal regulations restrict foreign software procurement and incentivize Russian alternatives, with a law effective September 1 requiring only software registered with the Digital Development Ministry for critical national infrastructure. The initiative to replace foreign software began in 2023, but as of August 2024, only about 60% of schools and universities had transitioned to domestic solutions, with complete transition expected to take several more years.

AppWizard

July 7, 2025

Report says ByteDance is creating a new TikTok US version to quell ‘concerns’

ByteDance is developing a U.S.-specific version of TikTok to address concerns from the U.S. government about the app's ties to China and user data handling. This new application is expected to launch on September 5, before a potential ban on September 17. There are over 170 million TikTok users in the U.S., making the transition to a new app complicated. The U.S. government has expressed concerns about TikTok's data collection and potential propaganda dissemination. The House passed a bill requiring TikTok to either sell to a U.S. company or face a ban. ByteDance prefers not to divest TikTok and has been granted extensions to operate in the U.S. until September 17.

AppWizard

July 7, 2025

Chinese FMV game about getting ‘revenge on gold diggers’ plunges the country into online gender tumult

A new Chinese FMV game titled "Revenge on Gold Diggers" has sparked nationwide debate over gender dynamics and misogyny. Players assume the role of Wu Yulun, a man seeking revenge against women who manipulate men into losing their fortunes. The game has faced criticism for reinforcing harmful stereotypes about women, with detractors labeling it as misogynistic rather than anti-fraud. Following the backlash, the creator, Mark Wu, was banned from Bilibili, and the game's name was changed to "Emotional Fraud Simulator" shortly after its release. The game's narrative parallels real-life events, including the case of streamer Pangmao, whose death was linked to financial exploitation by his girlfriend, further fueling online vitriol against women. Critics argue that the game distorts reality and promotes a regressive agenda rather than fostering meaningful discussions about relationships and financial exploitation.

AppWizard

July 5, 2025

The Silksong subreddit is conducting elaborate ritual ban sacrifices in an attempt to cure ‘silksanity’ and secure the game’s release

The r/Silksong subreddit hosted a community event called the DREAMERS CONTEST, where four members, referred to as "skongers," were symbolically sacrificed in a show of devotion to the game Silksong. The participants were TomNook5085, who received 153 votes, FoxyCantPost with 53 votes, Present-Drink-9301 with 42 votes, and HopOffRedditRn, who suggested the contest. Each participant wrote farewell messages, with HopOffRedditRn emphasizing the importance of hope despite the long wait for the game's release. TomNook5085 expressed optimism about the game's imminent release, while Present-Drink-9301 humorously suggested it would be released the next day. FoxyCantPost shared an image of a water cooler and reflected on the community's spirit. A memorial featuring artwork by user patotatoman27 was created to honor the four participants, symbolizing the community's resilience and hope for the game's future.

AppWizard

July 3, 2025

Russian Authorities Trial Restrictions on Telegram and WhatsApp Ahead of Proposed Messenger Ban

On July 1, Russian authorities began a nationwide trial to restrict access to messaging platforms Telegram and WhatsApp, following President Putin's signing of legislation for a state-controlled "sovereign messenger." Users across Russia reported outages of these services around 11 PM on June 30, with nearly 12,000 outage reports for Telegram and 1,500 for WhatsApp recorded within 24 hours, primarily from the Nizhny Novgorod region and the Republic of Tatarstan. Analysts view this as a "targeted shutdown" in preparation for a potential complete ban, noting that competing platforms did not face similar issues and that access was quickly restored via VPN. This trial follows a law enacted on June 24 for the development of a state-controlled messaging platform under FSB supervision, with plans for features like encrypted chats and digital ID. Additionally, legislation approved earlier in June requires the establishment of a national messaging platform by 2026 to replace foreign applications for official and public use.

AppWizard

June 24, 2025

Russia Launches National Messenger App with Government Integration | Ukraine news

On June 24, Vladimir Putin established a "national messenger" in Russia through a decree, which was published on the official legal information portal. The service will be built on domestic software and aims to attract over 500,000 daily users. It is designed for messaging and voice calls in Russian and other languages spoken in the Russian Federation, and will support advertising in these languages. The platform will integrate with the Russian digital services portal “Gosuslugi,” allowing access to official documents. Features will include electronic document signing and serve as a communication hub for students and educators. The State Duma passed a bill advocating for the messenger on June 10, emphasizing the need for a multifunctional information exchange service. Anton Gorelkin stated that the introduction of the messenger would not block Telegram in Russia if it complies with legal requirements. Russia has imposed restrictions on social networks and messaging platforms, including limiting access to X (formerly Twitter) in 2021 and banning Facebook and Instagram in March 2022. In August 2024, Roskomnadzor blocked the Signal messenger for violations of Russian legislation.

AppWizard

June 24, 2025

LEAK: Android XR Companion App, ‘Martha’ Glasses

Google's Android XR platform is developing smart glasses named Martha, which will have a companion app similar to the Pixel Watch. A leaked image reveals the app will allow users to manage notifications, adjust settings, and use features like Record Your View and quick feedback options. The glasses are designed with robust arms to house battery and smart technology, equipped with speakers for interactions with Gemini, and include a dedicated button for function access. They resemble Ray-Ban’s Meta glasses and are likely still in the prototype phase. There is growing enthusiasm for Google's entry into augmented reality, although a launch date for Android XR has not been announced.

AppWizard

June 24, 2025

WhatsApp ban: US congressional staffers must delete the messenger

The US House of Representatives has banned the use of WhatsApp on all work devices due to cybersecurity concerns, categorizing it as a "high risk" application. The ban is based on criticisms regarding a lack of transparency in user data protection, insufficient encryption of stored data, and potential security vulnerabilities. Employees are instructed to remove the app from their devices, and alternatives such as Microsoft Teams, Wickr, Signal, iMessage, and FaceTime are recommended. This decision aligns WhatsApp with other previously banned applications, and there is speculation that similar guidelines may be adopted by other government agencies.