censorship Archives

AppWizard

August 12, 2025

“The Timeline Is Uncertain” — Steam and PayPal Divorce, and Valve Says It’s All About Money

Valve's Steam platform is currently facing issues with PayPal transactions, affecting users' ability to make purchases in certain currencies. As of early July 2025, PayPal's acquiring bank has stopped processing transactions for currencies beyond six designated ones: EUR, CAD, GBP, JPY, AUD, and USD. Valve has communicated a hope to reinstate PayPal support for other currencies in the future but has not provided a specific timeline. Users are advised to explore alternative payment methods or use Steam Wallet codes. The situation has raised speculation about a potential link to Valve's recent game censorship policies, but no concrete evidence supports this connection. Users can still purchase games using credit or debit cards, bank transfers, and local payment methods, as well as redeeming Steam Wallet codes.

AppWizard

August 3, 2025

Over a million people have claimed free NSFW games from GOG’s FreedomToBuy initiative

Today is the last day for gamers to claim 13 free titles from GOG as part of the FreedomToBuy.games initiative, which opposes censorship in the gaming industry. The games are categorized as NSFW, which have faced scrutiny from payment processors on platforms like Steam and Itch.io. GOG reported that within 24 hours of the initiative's launch, one million individuals claimed the games, indicating strong support. The bundle is available until midnight EST tonight, and GOG may offer more bundles in the future. Developers can contribute by donating their games to the initiative. The FreedomToBuy initiative highlights concerns about gaming censorship, particularly regarding adult-only games, and warns that if the trend continues, other games could also be delisted.

AppWizard

August 3, 2025

What You Should Know About the New, Free Messaging App Bitchat

On July 28, Jack Dorsey introduced Bitchat Mesh, an open-source messaging application available for free in Apple's App Store. The app features a minimalist design and transmits messages exclusively via Bluetooth, establishing a mesh network for connectivity without relying on phone numbers or internet access. Users can communicate with nearby devices and extend their network reach through a series of connections. Each device acts as both a client and a server, and messages sent in the main chat are visible to all users within the network, while private messaging is available for one-on-one conversations. Additional features include the ability to send private messages, block users, and engage in playful interactions, with notifications for screenshots taken during conversations. Although the app is open-source, raising transparency about its code, Dorsey issued a security warning highlighting that it has not undergone external security reviews and may contain vulnerabilities.

AppWizard

August 2, 2025

GOG is giving away a selection of adult games to protest censorship

GOG has launched a new platform, FreedomtoBuy.games, allowing users to download select "adult" games for free, in response to the removal of certain titles from Steam and Itch. For 48 hours, GOG is offering 13 games, including POSTAL 2 and HuniePop, which have faced controversy and bans. The initiative aims to preserve diverse gaming experiences and ensure compatibility with modern hardware. The removals from other platforms were influenced by new policies from payment processors and pressure from organizations like Collective Shout. Itch is working to reinstate removed games and restore free NSFW titles.

AppWizard

August 2, 2025

GOG preservationists hit back at “censorship in gaming” by making a bunch of notable NSFW games free-to-own for a limited time: “If a game is legal and responsibly made, players should be able to enjoy it”

GOG has launched FreedomToBuy.games, a platform offering free access to select adult-themed games for 48 hours, including titles like HuniePop and House Party, to promote creative expression in gaming. The initiative is supported by various publishers and aims to preserve adult-oriented games amidst pressures from moralistic lobbyists and credit card companies. GOG emphasizes its role as an archival platform, stating that legal and responsibly made games should be accessible now and in the future. Mastercard clarified that it has not imposed restrictions on game creators or platforms, and GOG noted that delisting games makes it harder to revive them later. Renowned game creator Yoko Taro commented on the potential infringement of free speech due to such censorship.

AppWizard

July 31, 2025

What You Should Know About Jack Dorsey’s New Messaging App Bitchat

Jack Dorsey launched an open-source messaging app called Bitchat Mesh, or Bitchat, on July 28 through Apple's App Store. The app utilizes Bluetooth for data transmission instead of traditional internet connections and does not use contacts or phone numbers for connectivity, instead forming a Bluetooth mesh network among nearby devices. Each device acts as both a client and server, allowing for communication within the network, which is limited to those in proximity. Users can see the number of connected devices and send private messages, while main chat messages are visible to all within the network. Bitchat includes features like blocking users and sending playful notifications. Despite being open-source, the app has not undergone a third-party security audit, and users have been cautioned about potential vulnerabilities. Dorsey implemented the Noise Protocol Framework for end-to-end encryption but advised against using the app for production purposes until it receives an external security review.

AppWizard

July 22, 2025

Explained: How Russia Is Cracking Down on the Internet and Messaging Apps

The Kremlin has increased restrictions on Russian citizens' access to foreign websites and information that contradicts state narratives since the Ukraine conflict began. New legislation has been passed to impose fines for searching for "extremist" content and for advertising VPN services, with penalties including fines of up to 5,000 rubles for individual users. A potential ban on WhatsApp is being considered in favor of a domestic alternative called Max, which is expected to serve as Russia's national messaging platform and may collect user data. Approximately 680 bots have been promoting Max while disparaging WhatsApp. Additionally, at least 40 Russian regions have recently experienced mobile internet outages, which coincide with increased Ukrainian drone attacks and are speculated to serve both security and internet sovereignty goals.

AppWizard

July 21, 2025

Ready or Not has sold 1 million units on console, 10 times faster than what was achieved on PC, proving that the ‘censorship’ was worth it

Void Interactive implemented an update for the game Ready or Not to align with console standards, which some interpreted as censorship, leading to backlash from the PC gaming community and negative reviews on Steam. Despite this, the game sold 1 million units within 3.6 days of its console launch. Concurrent players on Steam increased from under 6,000 to 40,000, approaching the all-time peak of 55,174. The game currently has a predominantly negative rating on Steam, with complaints about the removal of key story content and a desire for a toggle option for censorship features. Rodriguez from the development team expressed pride in the team's achievements and commitment to improving the game.

AppWizard

July 20, 2025

Ready or Not hits 1m console sales in 4 days despite “censorship” claims from its PC players

Void Interactive's shooter, Ready or Not, achieved over one million sales on consoles within four days, compared to 36 days for its initial PC launch. CEO Julio Rodriguez expressed pride in this milestone and acknowledged the team's hard work. The game faced backlash due to necessary content changes mandated by first-party partners, leading to a drop in its Steam rating from "mostly positive" to "mostly negative," while still maintaining a score of 4 out of 5 on Xbox and 4.69 on PlayStation. Void Interactive also parted ways with its publisher, Team17, after announcing a controversial school shooting mission.

AppWizard

July 19, 2025

GTA 5 finally launches in Saudi Arabia and the UAE 12 years after its global release — will be age-rated 21+ as part of the new regulatory framework

Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto V and GTA Online have been officially released in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, receiving a new 21+ age rating from the General Authority for Media Regulation and the UAE Media Council. This approval allows local gamers to purchase and enjoy the game legally, marking a shift towards more progressive content regulation in the region. Previously, the game was inaccessible due to its portrayal of violence, sex, and drug use. Over 90% of PC and console players in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt are over the age of 21, and the gaming market in these countries is projected to grow significantly by 2029. Additionally, Take-Two Interactive has established a partnership with the Saudi-based Advanced Initiative Company for local distribution of its major franchises, including GTA V. The approval comes ahead of the anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6 on May 9, 2026, which is expected to launch in the region without previous regulatory delays. As of May 2025, GTA V has sold over 215 million copies worldwide.