Chinese government Archives

AppWizard

February 14, 2025

TikTok returns to Apple and Google app stores in the US

TikTok, owned by ByteDance, was removed from Apple and Google’s app stores on January 18 due to a law requiring divestment or a ban in the U.S. The app, which has over 170 million users in the U.S., briefly suspended service, leading users to migrate to a competitor, RedNote. After nearly a month, TikTok returned to the app stores, coinciding with an executive order by former President Trump extending the enforcement of a potential ban until April 5. Concerns over TikTok's Chinese ownership and data privacy have persisted, with the company denying allegations of sharing user data. Trump initially supported a ban but later expressed a more favorable view of the app. He suggested the possibility of TikTok being jointly owned by American investors, with potential buyers including Frank McCourt, Kevin O’Leary, and Jimmy Donaldson (Mr. Beast).

AppWizard

February 8, 2025

TikTok allows US Android users to download app via website

TikTok has enabled US Android users to download its app directly from its website to bypass restrictions from a law that threatens to ban the platform unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divests ownership. Since the law's enactment on January 19, Apple and Google have not reinstated TikTok in their app stores due to national security concerns. The legislation requires ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban, halting new downloads from official app stores while current users can still access the app. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order delaying enforcement of this law by 75 days and is in discussions regarding a potential acquisition of TikTok. He has also proposed creating a sovereign wealth fund to facilitate the acquisition, though details are unclear. TikTok has 170 million users in the US and denies allegations of being a security threat, stating that user data is stored on Oracle-operated cloud servers and content moderation is done domestically. The ban has faced criticism from free speech advocates, and concerns persist about ByteDance's potential obligations to the Chinese government regarding user data. TikTok maintains it operates independently and has measures to protect user information. ByteDance has not disclosed plans for the sale of TikTok or legal challenges to the law.

AppWizard

December 19, 2024

‘Gooner 9/11’ averted as Zenless Zone Zero’s butt-obfuscation technology is rolled back in the face of horny outrage

A recent update to Zenless Zone Zero led to player backlash after patch 1.4 introduced a change that caused characters to appear faded from certain angles, which players referred to as a "butt filter." This change sparked frustration within the community, with users expressing concerns over perceived censorship and speculating about external pressures, including potential influence from the Chinese government. In response to the outcry, developer MiHoYo announced a hotfix less than 24 hours later, addressing the fading effect and restoring characters' appearances to normal. The community celebrated the reversal, although the motivations behind the initial change remain unclear.

AppWizard

December 4, 2024

FBI Warns Americans to Start Using Encrypted Messaging Apps

America's leading cybersecurity and law enforcement officials convened to address cyber threats, particularly following the Salt Typhoon intrusion attributed to Chinese government hackers, described by Senator Mark Warner as “the worst hack in our nation’s history.” The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI advised Americans to use encrypted messaging applications like Signal to protect against foreign infiltration. Encryption was emphasized as a vital defense, with officials noting that the hackers could not access encrypted communications, although they did gain access to metadata related to messages and phone calls. The Five Eyes alliance issued guidelines to fortify systems against the Salt Typhoon attack. Concerns remain about the implications of potential shifts in governance and the protection of civil liberties in an increasingly volatile political climate.

AppWizard

December 4, 2024

US Warns Citizens to Use Encrypted Messaging Apps Amid Cyberattack on Telecom Giants

A significant cyber intrusion has targeted major US telecommunications firms, including AT&T and Verizon, linked to Chinese state-sponsored actors and identified by Microsoft as Salt Typhoon. The FBI and CISA have confirmed that the attack focused on leading telecom companies, infiltrating sensitive data such as phone metadata, live calls, and law enforcement surveillance systems. The breach is attributed to the Chinese government, aiming to gather intelligence on American political and governmental operations, but officials state it is not intended to interfere with the 2024 elections. Types of sensitive information stolen include call logs and metadata, intercepted live conversations, and access to law enforcement systems. In response, officials are encouraging the use of encrypted messaging applications like Signal, WhatsApp, and iMessage to protect personal communications. The breach raises concerns about the vulnerability of telecom systems governed by the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), which may not fully encrypt messages. Despite the damage caused by the Salt Typhoon operation, the breach highlights the risks associated with cyber espionage from state-sponsored groups, emphasizing the need for robust encryption to safeguard personal information.

AppWizard

October 26, 2024

WeChat among apps banned from Hong Kong govt computers

Hong Kong's government has updated its information security guidelines to enhance cybersecurity, restricting the use of messaging and cloud storage applications like WeChat, WhatsApp, and Google Drive on government-operated computers. The Digital Policy Office cited concerns over end-to-end encryption technology in these services that could bypass cybersecurity defenses, making it challenging to detect and respond to threats. The new regulations, inspired by measures in the U.S. and mainland China, will take effect at the end of October, with potential exceptions approved by department heads. Additionally, a new cybersecurity law is expected to be introduced by the end of the year to address critical infrastructure security.

Winsage

August 15, 2024

Windows 11 ‘Government Edition’: What It Is & Why It Might Be Dangerous – SlashGear

Microsoft Windows holds a market share of approximately 72 percent in desktop operating systems. Critics of Windows, particularly tech enthusiasts, advocate for alternatives like Linux due to concerns over customizability and privacy. A significant complaint against Windows is the presence of bloatware, especially noted in Windows 11, which has faced criticism for intrusive advertisements and privacy issues. The Windows 11 Government Edition was rumored to be a "debloated" version of Windows, free from telemetry and Microsoft applications, but it does not officially exist. The circulating version is a modified and pirated iteration lacking Microsoft affiliation. Microsoft has officially released seven versions of Windows 11: Home, Pro, Pro for Education, Pro for Workstation, Education, Enterprise, and IoT Enterprise LTSC. Using the alleged government edition poses risks, including security vulnerabilities and lack of official support. Engaging in piracy can lead to legal penalties in the U.S., including fines and imprisonment.

Winsage

July 20, 2024

Huawei could next aim for Windows after exiting Android roots in China?

Huawei is developing HarmonyOS NEXT, a new operating system free from U.S.-based components and Android, to challenge foreign operating systems in the local market. The company has eliminated all source code related to Android or Linux and integrated self-developed components into the new OS. HarmonyOS NEXT will not support Google or Android-compatible apps but will enhance the performance of Huawei devices. Huawei is also working on HarmonyOS PC, a computer-specific software that could potentially launch in 2024, with leaked information suggesting an earlier release. The Chinese government is supporting Huawei in building the HarmonyOS ecosystem, with the stable version of HarmonyOS NEXT expected to be released in the fourth quarter of this year.

Winsage

July 10, 2024

China’s OpenKylin OS Gets AI Boost to Challenge Windows Dominance

China is reducing dependency on Western tech by phasing out Windows and Intel CPUs in critical government projects in favor of the openKylin open-source community. Despite these efforts, Windows still controls approximately 80% of the China market as of June 2023.

Winsage

July 3, 2024

Windows 11 “Government Edition” is Microsoft’s anti-bloatware nightmare

There is an unsanctioned, heavily modified version of Windows 11 called "Windows 11 Government Edition" that has been circulating online. This version removes standard components such as bundled apps, multimedia tools, and utilities, resulting in a significantly reduced storage footprint. It can reportedly run on older systems that do not meet Windows 11's strict hardware requirements. Despite the name, this version is not official and is not endorsed by Microsoft.