complaint Archives

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

Ubisoft investigating data privacy complaint

Ubisoft is investigating claims from the data privacy group NOYB regarding its handling of user data, particularly in relation to the 2016 game Far Cry Primal, which allegedly transmitted significant amounts of player data to external servers, potentially violating GDPR legislation. A spokesperson stated that an internet connection is required for single-player titles to verify game legitimacy and that for offline modes, it is only needed during the initial launch to link the game to the player's account. Ubisoft emphasizes its commitment to protecting player data and providing transparency through its Privacy Center.

AppWizard

April 25, 2025

Data privacy firm files complaint against Ubisoft

The European Center for Digital Rights (NOYB) has accused Ubisoft of excessive data collection practices related to the game Far Cry Primal, which may violate GDPR regulations. Players reportedly connected to external servers 150 times within ten minutes of launching the game, including connections to Google, Amazon, and Datadog. Despite being a single-player game, it requires an internet connection for ownership verification. NOYB has expressed concerns about the lack of transparency regarding data transmission to external servers.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

NJ AG sues Discord, claims the messaging app exposes kids to online predators

Law enforcement officials in New Jersey have filed a lawsuit against Discord, claiming the company misled parents about its safety controls and failed to protect children from sexual and violent content on its platform. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin stated that Discord has violated consumer protection laws, exposing children to risks from online predators. The lawsuit alleges that Discord's safety features were inadequate and that the app's claims of protecting young users were misleading. Specifically, it criticized the "Safe Direct Messaging" feature for failing to effectively detect or delete explicit content. The lawsuit seeks remedies including an injunction against further violations, civil penalties, and forfeiture of profits generated in New Jersey.

BetaBeacon

April 18, 2025

The AYANEO Pocket Micro Classic is everything I wanted the Game Boy Micro to be

The AYANEO Pocket Micro Classic is a modern handheld device inspired by the Game Boy Micro, featuring a premium metal body, large shoulder buttons, and a 3.5-inch IPS display perfect for GBA emulation. It runs on Android 13 and is powered by a Helio G99 SoC, allowing it to emulate some PS2 titles. The device is designed for discerning gamers and is priced starting at 9.

AppWizard

April 18, 2025

N.J. sues Discord, alleging the messaging app leaves kids vulnerable to predators

State officials in New Jersey have filed a lawsuit against Discord, alleging that the messaging platform fails to protect children from online predators and misrepresents its safety features, particularly regarding direct messaging. New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin claims that Discord's misleading safety settings have made it a target for predators, exposing young users to risks. Discord has announced its intention to contest the lawsuit, asserting its commitment to safety. The complaint points out that Discord's default settings allow users to receive friend requests from anyone and that its claims about scanning and removing explicit content are misleading. The lawsuit demands that Discord relinquish profits earned in New Jersey and seeks civil penalties, following incidents where inadequate safeguards led to child exploitation. Additionally, a man has been accused of communicating with a 14-year-old victim on Discord after previously assaulting her.

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

Ubisoft lawyers say players never owned The Crew

Ubisoft's lawyers have filed a motion to dismiss a class action lawsuit from California gamers, arguing that players do not have an inherent expectation of ownership after purchasing a game. This lawsuit follows the retirement of the online game The Crew in 2024, ten years after its release. Ubisoft's legal team stated that the game's closure was communicated on the product packaging and noted that the plaintiffs' claims include violations of California’s False Advertising Law, Unfair Competition Law, and the Consumer Legal Remedies Act, as well as accusations of common law fraud and breach of warranty. The plaintiffs have amended their complaint to include a claim regarding unspent in-game currency, suggesting it may violate state law requiring gift cards to retain validity indefinitely.

Winsage

April 8, 2025

Microsoft’s new Windows 11 Start menu is bigger and fixes a major pain point

Microsoft is rolling out a redesigned Start menu for Windows 11 users, featuring a larger layout that consolidates functionality onto a single scrollable page. Users can disable the recommended feed, allowing for a cleaner interface. The new design provides easy access to all apps without navigating through multiple sections, with options for a category view or list format. Users can pin up to eight apps per row, with no restrictions on the number of rows. This updated Start menu is currently being tested in the 24H2 builds of Windows 11 and is also being backported to the 23H2 versions, indicating a wider rollout is expected soon.

Tech Optimizer

March 26, 2025

Video: Why didn’t CCI see Microsoft Defender as anti competitive?

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) ruled that Microsoft's integration of its antivirus software, Microsoft Defender, with the Windows operating system does not pose a significant threat to market competition. A complaint claimed that this practice gave Microsoft an unfair advantage and hindered third-party antivirus developers. Microsoft defended its actions as standard industry practice, stating that users can still choose to install alternative antivirus solutions.

BetaBeacon

March 6, 2025

Best new mobile games on iOS and Android – March 2025 round-up

Grand Mountain Adventure 2 is a mobile game that brings snowboarding and skiing to the platform, offering a miniature recreation of mountain life with exploration, time trials, and intuitive touch controls.

Tech Optimizer

March 6, 2025

All about CCI’s Dismissal of Antitrust Plaint against Microsoft

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) concluded its examination of a complaint against Microsoft regarding the bundling of antivirus software with its Windows operating system. The CCI found that users can choose antivirus solutions beyond Microsoft Defender and that there was no substantial evidence of market foreclosure in the antivirus sector. The complaint alleged that Microsoft forces OEMs to include Microsoft Security Essentials, limiting competition for third-party antivirus vendors. Microsoft has bundled Microsoft Defender with Windows since 2015 and argued that it aligns with industry standards. The CCI determined that Microsoft holds a dominant position in the antivirus software market for Windows OS in India but found no coercion compelling users to use both products together. The CCI also noted that multiple antivirus vendors continue to operate in the market without significant barriers. The case highlighted issues of consumer inertia and the implications of default settings in digital markets, suggesting that pre-installed options may restrict consumer choice.