chats Archives

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Waltz used Signal-like app at White House day before ouster as national security advisor

U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz was seen using a modified version of the messaging app Signal during a Cabinet meeting, despite President Donald Trump's prior discouragement of its use after the "Signalgate" controversy. A photograph showed Waltz with the app active and conversations involving at least six officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, indicating ongoing discussions. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly confirmed that Signal is an approved application for government use, and the modified version appeared to be associated with TeleMessage, a company that provides archiving services for messaging applications. This adaptation raises concerns about the integrity of Signal's end-to-end encryption due to potential external storage of messages, which could compromise privacy. TeleMessage has ties to military intelligence and was recently acquired by Smarsh. The use of Signal by Trump administration officials has been controversial in the past, particularly regarding military discussions that inadvertently involved a journalist.

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

Another messaging app used by the White House is in hot water

Former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has come under scrutiny for using TeleMessage, an app that has recently experienced a security breach resulting in the theft of sensitive data, including direct messages and group chats. High-ranking officials from the Trump administration, including Waltz, Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, were reported to have used the app. A photograph captured Waltz during a Cabinet meeting appearing to use TeleMessage to access Signal messages, raising concerns due to his previous controversy involving a chat room on Signal that included a journalist. The security vulnerabilities of TeleMessage have been criticized, particularly as it lacks the robust encryption features of Signal. The app was initially marketed as a solution for preserving messages for government record-keeping, but its reliability has been questioned.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

A personal goodbye to Skype; the app that connected worlds

Skype has officially ceased to exist as of today. It was introduced in 2011-2012 as a more robust alternative to MSN Messenger, allowing for group calls and video interactions. Skype served as a platform for social interactions, job interviews, and long-distance communication. Over time, users shifted to alternatives like WhatsApp, Messenger, and Zoom, especially during the pandemic, leading Microsoft to integrate Skype's features into its Teams platform. Despite its decline, Skype remains a symbol of a bygone era, representing significant moments and connections in users' lives.

AppWizard

May 5, 2025

Messaging app used by Trump official suspends operations after reported hack

National Security Advisor Michael Waltz was preparing for a television interview at the White House using the messaging app TeleMessage, which is currently facing a temporary suspension due to a security breach. The parent company, Smarsh, is investigating the incident and has halted all TeleMessage services while engaging an external cybersecurity firm. The breach reportedly involves the theft of data from messages sent via TeleMessage's versions of popular messaging platforms, but there is no indication that Waltz's messages were accessed. The White House has not responded to inquiries about the service suspension. Waltz was previously photographed using TeleMessage while communicating with various officials. Former President Donald Trump intends to nominate Waltz as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio serving as the interim national security advisor. Concerns have been raised about whether private messages are automatically deleted, potentially violating federal records-retention laws, and TeleMessage may compromise Signal's end-to-end encryption.

Winsage

May 2, 2025

Windows Recall Is Back (but Should You Use It?)

Windows Recall, an AI-driven feature by Microsoft, was initially launched in July but withdrawn due to security and privacy concerns. It has since returned with modifications aimed at improving user experience, although concerns about its functionality persist. Recall captures and analyzes screenshots of user activities to aid in retrieving past documents or messages. Users must have a Copilot+ PC to access Recall, which is not activated by default. Security enhancements include encrypted data storage and mandatory Windows Hello authentication for access. However, issues remain, such as potential access via a computer PIN, inconsistent filtering of sensitive data, and the risk of data being captured from shared devices. Users can exempt specific sites and apps from being captured, but the process is cumbersome.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

How to archive Facebook messages on Android

To archive a conversation in the Facebook Messenger app, scroll through your chat list to find the specific chat, press and hold on it to bring up a menu, and select the "Archive" option. This moves the conversation to an archived folder, helping to organize your inbox while keeping messages accessible.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

A Minecraft Movie is leaning into the memes with sing-along screenings

The team behind A Minecraft Movie is launching a 'Block Party Edition' screening experience that encourages fans to participate in sing-alongs, including the Lava Chicken song, and shout out "Chicken Jockey" during the film. Tickets for this event are available for screenings on May 2nd, though not all cinemas will participate. The term "Chicken Jockey" refers to a scene where Jason Momoa's character confronts a baby zombie riding a chicken, while Lava Chicken is a song by Jack Black's character about cooking chicken with lava, which recently entered the UK's official music chart as the shortest top 40 entry at 34 seconds. The film's success has led to hints of a potential sequel from director Jared Hess.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

WhatsApp users ‘refuse’ to use app after new Meta AI tool can’t be removed

The Meta AI logo, a blue circle with pink and green hues, has launched for users in the UK on WhatsApp, allowing them to interact with a chatbot for assistance. A Meta representative stated that users can utilize Meta AI to settle debates or ask questions while ensuring privacy, as it can only read shared messages and keeps personal messages end-to-end encrypted. Users are encouraged to explore its capabilities, but reactions have been mixed, with some expressing a desire to remove the feature. Many users feel reluctant to abandon WhatsApp due to its widespread use among their contacts. Recent updates to WhatsApp include improvements to group chats, events, calls, and new functionalities like adding music to statuses and customizing chat themes.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

Sanso’s chat messenger aims to dethrone usual messengers

LetsTalkh Messenger is a messaging app developed by Sanso Technologies that offers a unique user experience without advertisements or data tracking. It features global roaming chat capabilities, end-to-end encryption, built-in privacy tools, and a focus on user empowerment. Sanso Technologies, led by founder Haroon S Khan, has a strong presence in the EU and UAE and has been recognized by platforms like FORBES. SansoPay is a cross-border digital payment platform that enables secure international transactions for individuals and businesses. It includes features like cross-border capabilities, API integration, a SansoPay Debit Card, and robust security measures compliant with regulations. SansoPay aims to provide financial freedom and cater to various sectors, addressing challenges faced by traditional payment platforms.

AppWizard

April 13, 2025

WhatsApp users unable to send messages and connect to app amid online outage

A significant WhatsApp outage is affecting users in the UK and other countries, with a surge in complaints reported. Downdetector indicates that around 49% of users are unable to send messages, and 46% are experiencing issues with the app. The outage has escalated, with over 100 users in the UK reporting problems, up from six an hour earlier. Users from India and the United States have also reported disruptions, with over 3,000 complaints in India, primarily related to message-sending issues. Complaints have been voiced on social media from users in Canada, Brazil, and Singapore. Some users are also facing challenges with other Meta-owned platforms like Facebook and Instagram. This outage follows a previous incident earlier this year that affected at least 68,000 users.