bans Archives

AppWizard

June 11, 2026

Apple removes Russian messenger from App Store

Apple has removed Russia’s state-backed Max messenger from its App Store, as confirmed by the app’s developers. The Max app, which lacks encryption, has been promoted by the Russian government, which has restricted access to popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram, forcing civil servants and state agencies to use Max for communications. The app became unavailable for download on Apple’s platform on Wednesday night, and while current users can still access it, new downloads and updates are prohibited. Max, introduced in 2025 by VK, combines social media, messaging, government services, and banking options, and has been endorsed by President Putin. It is pre-installed on devices sold in Russia but not available in the European Union, with user data stored on Russian servers.

AppWizard

June 4, 2026

Apple removes Russia’s state-backed messenger from App Store

Apple has removed the state-backed Russian messaging app Max from its App Store, as confirmed by the app's developers. This action is part of a broader initiative by the Russian government to promote Max, which lacks encryption and has raised concerns regarding user tracking. The app had become a mandatory communication tool for civil servants and state entities in Russia, especially as access to popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram was restricted. Max acknowledged its removal from the App Store and noted that while existing users can still use the app, new users cannot download it or access updates. The app was introduced in 2025 by VK and is compared to China's WeChat, integrating messaging with government services and banking. It has been pre-installed on devices sold in Russia since September but is not available in the EU. Max does not use end-to-end encryption, and its user data is stored on servers in Russia.

AppWizard

May 28, 2026

Victims of cheaters in Marvel Rivals will be refunded all the ranked points they lost if they report them thanks to NetEase’s new Anti-Cheat Rank Compensation System

Marvel Rivals is experiencing a significant increase in cheating incidents, prompting NetEase to initiate a ban wave and announce updates to its anti-cheat system. Many players believe these measures are inadequate. To address player frustration, NetEase will introduce a new Anti-Cheat Rank Compensation System, allowing players to receive a full refund of Ranked Points lost if they report a confirmed cheater, although this does not apply to Placement Matches. This system, called the "Victim Compensation Protocol," is similar to those in other games like Overwatch and Valorant. However, players remain concerned that current punitive measures are insufficient to deter cheaters, especially since Marvel Rivals is free-to-play, making account bans ineffective. More stringent measures, such as hardware or IP bans, may be necessary, but these harsher penalties are only a small part of the overall ban efforts.

Winsage

May 28, 2026

Microsoft’s GitHub bans security researcher who posted zero-day Windows exploits because company ‘ruined their life’ — expert claims action is vindictive and promises further retaliation

Researcher Nightmare-Eclipse, also known as Chaotic Eclipse, has had their GitHub account banned by Microsoft, leading them to move their operations to GitLab. Microsoft also deleted Eclipse's Microsoft account used for reporting vulnerabilities. Eclipse claims that they have not received any financial rewards from Microsoft's bug bounty program, despite having reported multiple zero-day vulnerabilities. They possess a portfolio of six zero-day exploits and have hinted at revealing more on July 14. Eclipse has criticized Microsoft for their handling of vulnerability reports and suggested that the company's recent requirement for video evidence of exploits has contributed to tensions. Microsoft has not commented on the specifics of the situation. Eclipse's zero-day exploits include BlueHammer, RedSun, UnDefend, GreenPlasma, MiniPlasma, and YellowKey, with BlueHammer, RedSun, and UnDefend confirmed as actively exploited in the wild.

TrendTechie

May 23, 2026

Forza Horizon 6 слили за девять дней до релиза

Unencrypted preload files for Forza Horizon 6, totaling approximately 155 GB, have been discovered on Steam. Some players have reportedly launched a version of the game without the day-one patch, but those who went online with the leaked version received permanent hardware bans tied to specific PC components. The official release date for Forza Horizon 6 is May 19, 2026, on PC and Xbox Series X|S, with a PlayStation 5 version expected later in the year. The Premium edition will provide early access starting May 15. The game features over 550 vehicles, including classic Japanese models and exclusive Forza Edition cars.

TrendTechie

May 20, 2026

Фанаты Minecraft тайно скопировали 24 терабайта данных с легендарного сервера 2b2t – архив миллиона блоков скоро раздадут через торрент

A group of Minecraft enthusiasts has completed a digital archaeology project, mapping and archiving the oldest anarchy server, 2b2t, resulting in 24 terabytes of data. This data will be released as a torrent in the coming weeks. The 2b2t server has been operational for 16 years and is known for its lack of rules and bans. The team successfully archived various areas of the server, including: - Overworld area of 1,024,000² blocks (December 25, 2025 – April 13, 2026) - Overworld area of 512,000² blocks (November 11, 2024 – December 12, 2024) - End area of 256,000² blocks (January 23, 2026 – February 15, 2026) - Nether area of 100,000² blocks (June 9, 2025 – June 14, 2025) The team plans to release high-resolution renders and data analysis tables alongside the archive. Open-source tools for the archive are available on GitHub, and updates can be followed via Discord and Patreon.

AppWizard

May 13, 2026

Playground Games Confirms Forza Horizon 6 PC Leak Came From a Reviewer, an Influencer, or an Insider

A leak regarding the PC version of Forza Horizon 6 was confirmed by Playground Games to have originated from an individual with early access, not a pre-load issue. The company announced strict enforcement actions against anyone accessing the leaked build, including potential franchise-wide and hardware bans. SteamDB indicated that the file list for the game appeared on their platform due to a token dumper, clarifying they do not share keys or facilitate downloads. Playground Games can trace the leaker using unique identifiers in review codes. The official release date for Forza Horizon 6 is set for May 19.

AppWizard

May 13, 2026

Forza Horizon 6 Leaked, Pirates Are Playing—$120 Early Access Users Are Still Waiting for Preload

The game files for Forza Horizon 6 leaked online on May 11, before the official release. The leak is believed to have originated from a user using a token dumper, possibly a reviewer. Playground Games, the developer, denied any involvement and clarified that the leak was not due to a preload issue. Players who purchased the Deluxe Edition are unable to preload the game ahead of its launch on May 19. Playground Games is enforcing strict actions against those accessing the leaked build, including potential bans. Some players are posting reviews based on the leak, while repackers are sharing versions of the game on forums. TechPowerUp is conducting a performance review of Forza Horizon 6, with results to be published on May 14.

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

Forza Horizon 6’s unencrypted leak ‘is not a result of a pre-load issue’ and warns any users downloading the build with ‘franchise-wide and hardware bans’

An unencrypted build of Forza Horizon 6 has leaked ahead of its May 19 launch for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC. Playground Games has warned PC users that accessing this version could result in 'franchise-wide and hardware bans.' The leak is believed to be linked to a reviewer or someone with early access to the game.

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

Forza Horizon 6 leak not a “pre-load issue,” Playground Games claims as dev bans entire bloodlines for playing pirated copies

Forza Horizon 6 has leaked in its entirety on Steam, allowing unauthorized access due to a lack of encryption. Playground Games stated that the leak was not a preload issue but likely orchestrated by someone with early access, such as a reviewer. SteamDB confirmed that the leak was facilitated by an individual with privileged access and clarified that they did not distribute keys or facilitate downloads. In response, Playground Games issued bans against players using pirated copies, emphasizing the seriousness of the breach. The official launch of Forza Horizon 6 is scheduled for May 19.