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1 in 3 Windows users have 'fallen into a reset trap' and can't escape Edge — I think it's high time Microsoft stopped messing around with default browser choices
Winsage
August 13, 2026

1 in 3 Windows users have ‘fallen into a reset trap’ and can’t escape Edge — I think it’s high time Microsoft stopped messing around with default browser choices

A survey by the Browser Choice Alliance (BCA) found that 26% of Windows 11 users had Edge set as their default browser without consent, with 7% feeling 'stuck' with it. Older users, particularly those over 65, reported difficulties in changing their default browser, with 44% describing the process as "complex" and 61% lacking confidence in selecting their preferred browser. Over 70% of participants faced challenges when trying to change their default browser, highlighting obstacles in navigating away from Edge. Critics, including Mozilla, have accused Microsoft of using misleading tactics to promote Edge, and there is a disparity in treatment between regions, with stricter guidelines in the EU leading to a more consumer-friendly approach.
Saber Interactive denies replacing writer with ChatGPT on its new driving game, but says it will use AI for dialog 'as the number of passengers in the game is infinite'
AppWizard
August 12, 2026

Saber Interactive denies replacing writer with ChatGPT on its new driving game, but says it will use AI for dialog ‘as the number of passengers in the game is infinite’

Saber Interactive's upcoming game, Rideshare "Stimulator," has sparked controversy due to comments from former lead writer Stella Sacco, who claimed she was replaced by ChatGPT during development. Sacco stated that all passenger voices in the game were also AI-generated, raising concerns about transparency in the game's development. She attributed the decision to use AI to higher-ups at Saber, despite her supervisor's support for her involvement. Saber Interactive has denied Sacco's claims but acknowledged the use of AI in the game. The game's Steam page promotes "unique and unpredictable passenger stories," but Sacco's remarks suggest a disconnect between the marketing narrative and the creative process, particularly regarding the lack of disclosure about AI usage.
Android apps could be leaking your precise location
AppWizard
August 9, 2026

Android apps could be leaking your precise location

Third-party advertising tools embedded in Android applications are automatically collecting location data, often without the app developers' awareness. Software development kits (SDKs) used for advertising come with location data collection enabled by default, unless developers actively disable this feature. Historical location data has been sold to military and intelligence agencies, including the FBI, and used in immigration enforcement actions in the US. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) reported that app-level location permissions do not provide meaningful consent for location collection by third-party advertising SDKs. The EFF identified four advertising SDKs—InMobi, BidMachine, Verve's HyBid, and Huawei's Petal Ads—that collect and share location data by default. Two analyzed apps had been downloaded 60 million times without providing a privacy notice or seeking user consent for third-party location sharing. Users can manage location permissions through their device settings, but the EFF emphasizes that developers should ensure user data is not shared by default.
Android Apps Share Location Data With Advertisers by Default
AppWizard
August 6, 2026

Android Apps Share Location Data With Advertisers by Default

A recent investigation by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) revealed that many Android applications contain third-party code that automatically transmits users' precise location data to external companies, including advertisers and data brokers, once location permission is granted. There are no specific location permissions for Software Development Kits (SDKs) on Android, meaning that granting one app access allows all bundled components to access the same data. Developers may be unaware that their apps are configured to share location histories with external firms, as advertising SDKs often prioritize data collection for revenue generation. The EFF calls for advertising SDKs to stop making personal data sharing the default setting and urges developers to disable unnecessary data collection. Location data can reach data brokers, which may experience breaches, compromising user privacy and security. This situation poses hidden risks for investors in the mobile advertising sector, as legal challenges and reputational damage may arise from regulatory scrutiny of location data practices. The EFF emphasizes that app-level permissions do not provide meaningful consent for third-party data sharing, highlighting the value and risks associated with location data.
Your favorite Android apps might be leaking your location
AppWizard
August 6, 2026

Your favorite Android apps might be leaking your location

A report from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) highlights concerns about third-party software development kits (SDKs) in mobile applications collecting and sharing user location data with advertising companies, often without user consent. Many developers use these advertising SDKs for monetization, but their default settings allow for location data collection. This data is sent to advertising companies and location data brokers, which can misuse it in sensitive contexts. Users may unknowingly expose their location data when granting permissions to apps, as third-party SDKs can access this information without clear user awareness. The EFF identified several advertising SDKs, including InMobi, BidMachine, Verve’s HyBid, and Huawei’s Petal Ads, that collect and share location data by default. Developers are encouraged to review SDK settings to protect user privacy, and the EFF calls for regulatory scrutiny of data harvesting practices.
Developers: Beware of Ad Libraries that Betray Your Users’ Location
AppWizard
August 5, 2026

Developers: Beware of Ad Libraries that Betray Your Users’ Location

Advertising companies provide software development kits (SDKs) for mobile app monetization, which often automatically transmit users' location data to ad systems and location data brokers, raising privacy concerns. Many developers and users may be unaware of this data sharing. When developers allow SDKs to collect location data, it poses risks beyond targeted ads, including potential misuse by agencies like ICE and global surveillance. Location data brokers harvest precise movements of individuals, often without their consent, through mobile applications. Some apps directly collaborate with data brokers, while others leak data through advertising SDKs during real-time bidding (RTB) auctions. An incident in 2025 revealed that many apps unknowingly contributed to a location data broker's database. Developers must understand their SDKs' location-sharing practices to mitigate risks. Advertising SDKs can collect location data automatically once users grant permission, without specific permissions for the SDKs themselves. Precise location data can be collected when apps have location permissions, leading to potential privacy violations. Several SDKs have been identified as collecting location data by default, increasing the risk of unintentional data leaks. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) found that four advertising SDKs collect users' location data by default when location permissions are granted. InMobi encourages location sharing for higher revenue, while BidMachine updated its documentation after EFF's inquiry, confirming precise location data collection. Verve's SDK also collects location data by default but presents a cautious narrative in its Play Store guidance. Huawei's SDK recommends obtaining location permissions to enhance revenue, with default location sharing occurring if permissions are granted. Location data can be shared without users' knowledge or meaningful consent, complicating informed consent issues. The focus on four SDKs does not imply that others adequately protect location data, as many have faced criticism for similar practices. Studies indicate that SDKs often encourage increased data collection through design and documentation, leading to minimal control for developers over data transmission. The EFF's analysis highlights that advertising SDKs incentivize location data sharing through default settings and unclear documentation. Developers should assess third-party SDKs and disable unnecessary data collection. Regulators must hold developers accountable for unlawful data sharing, while legislators should enact laws to protect location privacy and address online behavioral advertising, which drives data tracking.
Are your Android apps secretly sharing your location with advertisers? Some developers are accidentally leaving on this critical data-invading setting when using third-party SDKs
AppWizard
August 5, 2026

Are your Android apps secretly sharing your location with advertisers? Some developers are accidentally leaving on this critical data-invading setting when using third-party SDKs

Developers often rely on third-party software development kits (SDKs) for mobile app monetization, which can compromise user privacy due to invasive data-collection features. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has raised concerns about these SDKs' default settings that collect sensitive location data without explicit user consent. Location data is valuable for advertisers, allowing targeted marketing, but permissions granted to apps often extend to SDKs, enabling data collection without informed consent. The EFF emphasizes that app-level location permissions do not signify meaningful consent for third-party SDKs. The location data collected has been used by intelligence agencies and law enforcement, raising ethical privacy concerns. The EFF recommends that developers prioritize user privacy, regulators hold app developers accountable for unlawful data sharing, and legislators consider enacting federal laws similar to the GDPR to protect user privacy and potentially ban behavioral advertising.
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