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Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney argues banning Twitter over its ability to AI-generate pornographic images of minors is just 'gatekeepers' attempting to 'censor all of their political opponents'
AppWizard
January 12, 2026

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney argues banning Twitter over its ability to AI-generate pornographic images of minors is just ‘gatekeepers’ attempting to ‘censor all of their political opponents’

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has criticized a US initiative to ban the social media platform X and its generative AI tool, Grok, following reports of Grok generating inappropriate images, including those of minors. Sweeney emphasized the importance of open platforms and opposed political demands for censorship, labeling it as crony capitalism. Reports indicated that Grok produced troubling content, including altered images of influencers in compromising situations. In response to the controversy, X has placed Grok's image generation feature behind a paywall. Sweeney's stance on free speech contrasts with censorship practices on his own platforms, such as the Epic Games Store's ban on the art game Horses due to pressure from conservative groups. He acknowledged the dangers of AI, noting that major AIs have instances of misuse.
silver Android smartphone
TrendTechie
December 8, 2025

Торренты и пиратство в разных странах

Amnezia's team has received user feedback about VPN limitations for downloading torrents, attributed to legal frameworks in server-hosting countries rather than technical issues. VPN services face abuse reports from hosting providers when torrents are downloaded, leading to traffic restrictions. Specialized B2B servers, like Amnezia's Swiss P2P server, are more expensive but located in countries with lenient torrent laws. In 2024, visits to pirate sites reached 216 billion globally, with the U.S. leading at 26.7 billion visits. All major jurisdictions prohibit the distribution of copyrighted content, but penalties for piracy vary by country. - **Switzerland**: Allows personal downloading from illegal sources for personal use; uploading is prohibited. - **Netherlands**: Personal copying from illegal sources banned since 2014. - **Germany**: Intentional copyright infringement can lead to fines or imprisonment; enforcement often results in civil actions. - **France**: Increased efforts to block pirate sites; penalties include fines and potential criminal charges. - **Canada**: Notice-and-Notice model with rare fines for piracy. - **India**: Both sharing and downloading torrents are illegal; courts can issue injunctions against unknown infringers. - **United Kingdom**: Strict anti-piracy measures with civil lawsuits and potential prison sentences. - **United States**: Stringent laws with civil lawsuits for piracy; criminal cases are rare. - **Singapore**: Criminal liability for serious copyright infringement. - **Japan**: Illegal downloading can lead to prison or fines; severe penalties for sharing. - **Thailand**: Distributing pirated content is illegal; penalties vary by violation type. - **Vietnam**: Laws against piracy exist, but enforcement is rare. - **Turkey**: Prohibits downloading and sharing pirated content; enforcement focuses on commercial piracy. - **Portugal**: Prohibits downloading from copyright-violating sources; piracy levels remain high. - **Russia**: Civil lawsuits for damages are pursued, but individual users are rarely targeted. Overall, while anti-piracy laws are strict, enforcement is often lax, leading to a low likelihood of legal repercussions for torrent downloading in many regions, except in Germany and Japan.
Banned and blocked. Russia says good-bye to messaging apps
AppWizard
December 5, 2025

Banned and blocked. Russia says good-bye to messaging apps

Russia's censorship agency, Roskomnadzor, has banned several popular communication platforms, including Snapchat, WhatsApp, and FaceTime, citing their use in organizing terrorist acts, recruiting criminals, and committing fraud. The ban on WhatsApp, a widely used messaging app in Russia, is expected to have significant implications. This decision follows a pattern of increasing digital restrictions, with other services such as Facebook, Instagram, Signal, Viber, and Google Meet also being blocked. Russian authorities are promoting a national messaging app called Max, which is set to become mandatory in public sectors by January 1, 2026. Max will require full access to users' devices and will collect telemetry and metadata, raising privacy concerns due to its integration with government systems.
Getting banned by Steam and Epic has made HORSES a best-seller — but this censorship bodes ill for creativity
AppWizard
December 4, 2025

Getting banned by Steam and Epic has made HORSES a best-seller — but this censorship bodes ill for creativity

Indie developer Santa Ragione's horror game HORSES has been banned from Steam without a clear explanation, leading to frustration from the developers and a lack of communication regarding the ban. Despite this setback, interest in the game has increased, resulting in strong sales on alternative platforms like GOG and itch.io, where it is currently a best-seller. The ban has made it difficult for Santa Ragione to secure external publishing deals, forcing them to seek private funding. Steam cited concerns over depictions of sexual conduct involving minors, while Epic referenced explicit sexual behavior and animal abuse, claims that Santa Ragione disputes. The game is available for purchase on GOG for .99 and on itch.io. GOG has expressed support for the game, emphasizing player choice in gaming experiences.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
December 3, 2025

Horses review

Santa Ragione's game, Horses, explores the unsettling relationship between media and the human experience, drawing inspiration from Eadweard Muybridge's motion photography. The game critiques the commodification of bodies through media technologies, set against a historical backdrop involving Muybridge's work commissioned by industrialist Leland Stanford. Players navigate a 3D farm as a young man under the watchful eye of a grotesque farmer, engaging in gameplay that combines farming simulation with cinematic elements. The "horses" in the game are depicted as human figures in masks, symbolizing the dehumanization of marginalized bodies. The farmer character represents power dynamics, assigning menial tasks that reveal themes of dominance and complicity. The narrative challenges players to confront their actions and societal norms, particularly regarding sexuality and control. Horses faced backlash from Steam for perceived obscenity, sparking discussions about censorship and artistic expression in gaming. The game invites reflection on media representation and the power dynamics in human relationships.
Russian censorship agency threatens total block of WhatsApp citing terror links
AppWizard
November 30, 2025

Russian censorship agency threatens total block of WhatsApp citing terror links

Roskomnadzor, Russia's media regulator, has warned WhatsApp that it could be blocked unless it complies with local laws, citing concerns about the platform's use for terrorist activities and fraud. The agency highlighted WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption as an obstacle for law enforcement. Since August, Roskomnadzor has implemented gradual restrictions, including blocking voice calls and instructing telecom operators to stop text message verifications for new users, with a complete ban possible if compliance is not met. The regulator has suggested users switch to domestic alternatives, such as the state-backed MAX messaging app. WhatsApp has around 97 million users in Russia and has faced increasing scrutiny amid a broader crackdown on foreign messaging services. The company has reiterated its commitment to end-to-end encryption but has not publicly responded to Roskomnadzor's latest threats.
WhatsApp Blocked in Russia: Messaging App Faces Crackdown
AppWizard
November 29, 2025

WhatsApp Blocked in Russia: Messaging App Faces Crackdown

Roskomnadzor, Russia's communications regulator, plans to impose stricter restrictions on WhatsApp due to allegations of its use in activities that violate Russian law, such as organizing terrorist acts and fraud. WhatsApp has not met compliance standards, leading to extended limitations and the possibility of a complete ban if violations continue. Users have experienced a decline in call quality since August, prompting a recommendation to switch to domestic messaging apps. Andrey Svintsov, a deputy chairman in the State Duma, anticipates a potential shutdown of WhatsApp in Russia within four to six months, attributing restrictions to the app's owners' unwillingness to cooperate with Russian authorities and concerns over data security.
An indie studio says it's at risk of closure after Valve banned its game from Steam
AppWizard
November 27, 2025

An indie studio says it’s at risk of closure after Valve banned its game from Steam

Indie studio Santa Ragione is facing potential closure due to its game, Horses, being denied entry to Steam, which is a major sales platform for PC games. Horses is a first-person horror game featuring a college student on a farm where the "horses" are adults in horse masks, aimed at an adult audience. Valve blocked the game over concerns that it depicted sexual conduct involving a minor, a claim Santa Ragione disputes. The studio plans to release Horses on alternative platforms like the Epic Games Store, GOG, Itch, and the Humble Store on December 2. Santa Ragione invested approximately 0,000 in the game and struggles financially after their previous title, Saturnalia, underperformed. They believe a scene in the game may have triggered Valve's concerns despite the characters being adults. The studio has been unable to secure external publishing partnerships and is relying on the success of Horses on non-Steam platforms to survive. Co-founder Pietro Righi Riva acknowledged that the studio could close if the game does not perform well.
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