consumer protection Archives

Winsage

November 15, 2025

Last Chance To Buy Microsoft Office Lifetime License For $40

Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows is available for a significant discount of approximately 81 percent off the regular price, offering a one-time purchase license for a single PC. The license includes essential applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, and Publisher, and provides a lifetime key for use on one Windows computer without an expiration. Office 2021 features modern functionalities in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, but does not include the latest features available in Microsoft 365, which operates on a subscription model. Users can expect security patches and stability improvements for Office 2021, but no new features will be added. This offer is particularly beneficial for students, sole proprietors, and small teams using a single Windows PC. However, it may not be suitable for those needing multi-device support, substantial cloud storage, or Mac installations. Before purchasing, it is advisable to verify the seller’s reputation and ensure compatibility with system requirements.

AppWizard

November 10, 2025

Calls Mount For 5 Essential Services To Get Android Apps

Android powers nearly 70% of the world's smartphones but lacks proper support for many essential web services and applications. A Google Finance app could provide real-time stock alerts and personalized widgets. CamelCamelCamel would improve price tracking for Amazon by allowing users to access price history directly through an app. Have I Been Pwned could enhance user security with push notifications for data breaches. Google Travel needs a unified app for trip planning and real-time notifications. AeroLOPA could offer detailed seat maps and offline access for travelers. Native applications on Android would provide essential features like push alerts and offline reliability, addressing the current gaps in user experience.

AppWizard

October 21, 2025

WhatsApp And Messenger Include Scam Warnings For Seniors

Meta is enhancing user safety on WhatsApp and Messenger by introducing protective measures aimed at curbing scams, particularly targeting older adults. WhatsApp will display a warning when users share screens during calls with unknown contacts, discouraging the sharing of sensitive information. Messenger is piloting a scam detection system that alerts users to potential fraud indicators, allowing them to block or report suspicious contacts. Research shows that timely alerts can reduce compliance with fraudulent requests. Meta has disrupted around 8 million scam accounts and removed over 21,000 impersonating profiles. The company is also collaborating with the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center, which includes various major corporations, to combat scams across platforms.

AppWizard

October 1, 2025

FTC alleges messaging app violated child privacy law, duped users into subscriptions

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a legal complaint against the operator of the Sendit messaging app for unlawful data collection from minors and deceptive subscription practices. The complaint, initiated by the Department of Justice, alleges that Sendit did not inform parents about collecting personal information from children under 13, including sensitive data linked to social media. The complaint targets Hunter Rice, CEO of Iconic Hearts Holdings, Inc., Sendit's parent company, for violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA). The FTC claims Sendit used manipulative tactics to encourage subscription purchases, misleading users with messages from fictitious individuals to create an illusion of interaction. The app reportedly did not disclose subscription costs and sent provocative messages to entice users into a "Diamond Membership" priced at up to .99 per week. The FTC's allegations include violations of COPPA, the FTC Act, and the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (ROSCA). It was noted that in 2022, about 116,000 users reported being under 13 years old, and Iconic Hearts was aware of this due to complaints from parents and self-reported data.

Winsage

September 27, 2025

Windows 10 extension, teenage Vegas hacker released, Boyd Gaming hacked

Microsoft will provide free extended security updates for Windows 10 users in the European Economic Area (EEA) in response to advocacy from Euroconsumers. A 17-year-old hacker, previously involved in cyberattacks on Las Vegas casinos, has been released into his parents' custody after a family court ruling. Boyd Gaming reported a cyberattack that compromised employee data but did not affect its business operations. Researchers from Binarly warned of vulnerabilities in Supermicro firmware that could allow attackers to gain control over server systems. Salesforce's Agentforce platform has a critical flaw, ForcedLeak, that could enable data extraction from its CRM tools. Kido International experienced a cyberattack that leaked sensitive information about children and parents. Volvo North America disclosed a data breach due to a ransomware attack on its supplier, Miljödata, affecting employee data. A critical flaw in the ZendTo file transfer application could allow users to access sensitive data by manipulating file paths.

Winsage

September 26, 2025

Turns out, Microsoft will offer Windows 10 security updates for free until 2026—but unfortunately not in the US or the UK

The author's mother is using a 2009 HP machine with Windows 10, which will lose official support on October 14. To keep her system secure, she can enroll in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program at no cost until October 13, 2026, by logging into her Microsoft account. This enrollment can be done using Microsoft Rewards points or by enabling Windows Backup. Euroconsumers have expressed concerns about the limited one-year extension of the ESU program and criticized Microsoft's acceleration of Windows 10's phase-out compared to previous versions. Windows 10 remains popular, as indicated by its status in a recent Steam survey. For those outside the EEA, Microsoft offers options for enrolling in the ESU program, including enabling Windows Backup or making a one-time payment.

AppWizard

September 19, 2025

Minecraft Faces a Class-Action Storm: Small Creator vs. Mojang and Microsoft

Kian Brose, a developer and content creator, has launched a crowdfunding campaign raising 0,000 for a class-action lawsuit against Mojang and Microsoft, claiming violations of European consumer protection laws. He alleges that Mojang modified its End User License Agreement (EULA) 47 times without proper notification, enforced hidden internal rules, and coerced players into migrating accounts to Microsoft under the threat of losing access, which may violate EU consumer law and GDPR requirements for consent. The lawsuit is opt-in, allowing affected players to join and submit evidence. Community reactions are mixed, with some supporting the initiative and others expressing skepticism about its viability against a large corporation. The lawsuit is set against the backdrop of updated EU collective-redress directives and could lead to various outcomes, including policy changes, dismissal, regulatory scrutiny, or a symbolic victory for digital rights.

Tech Optimizer

September 3, 2025

Malwarebytes Ultimate

Malwarebytes offers a cybersecurity suite called Malwarebytes Ultimate, which includes antivirus protection, VPN services, and identity theft remediation. The pricing starts at .99 per year for a single device, with higher costs for additional devices. The suite provides coverage for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. The identity theft protection is powered by TransUnion but lacks the extensive features of competitors like Bitdefender and Norton. Malwarebytes Ultimate includes a VPN with over 60 server locations across 34 countries, though it does not cover regions like Africa or certain countries. The VPN features include an automatic activation option and split tunneling. Malwarebytes has received high scores in independent testing for its antivirus capabilities on Android but did not appear in some recent evaluations. The identity theft protection system allows users to monitor personal information and receive alerts if their data is found on the dark web. Users can also track financial transactions for suspicious activity and access resources for identity and credit protection. Malwarebytes provides a dedicated resolution specialist for identity theft cases and offers a personal data removal service.

Winsage

August 11, 2025

California man sues Microsoft over Windows 11 upgrades

Lawrence Klein, a California resident, has filed a lawsuit against Microsoft regarding the company's plans to retire Windows 10. Klein, whose laptops are incompatible with Windows 11 due to the lack of a Trusted Platform Module 2.0 (TPM), is seeking continued free updates for Windows 10 until its user base significantly decreases. He argues that Microsoft has violated California's business and consumer protection laws by forcing unnecessary upgrades and neglecting security updates for Windows 10 users. Support for Windows 10 is set to end on October 14, and Klein's legal team claims that many users are not prepared to transition to new devices or pay for extended support. Microsoft offers a paid extended support plan for Windows 10, but Klein is advocating for free support until Windows 10's market share falls below 10%. The lawsuit also criticizes the rapid phaseout of Windows 10, noting that historically, Microsoft has provided longer support periods for previous operating systems. At the time of the phaseout announcement, Windows 10 still held over 50% of the market share, with nearly 43% of users remaining on the older OS. Klein's argument suggests that the transition to Windows 11 has been expedited to benefit Microsoft and its hardware partners financially.

AppWizard

July 5, 2025

European game publisher group responds to Stop Killing Games, claims ‘These proposals would curtail developer choice”

The Stop Killing Games movement has transitioned into a European Citizens' Initiative, which has faced criticism from Video Games Europe, a trade association for game developers and publishers in the EU. Video Games Europe expressed concerns about the complexities of discontinuing online services, emphasizing that such decisions are multi-faceted and necessary when an online experience is no longer commercially viable. The movement aims to challenge the legality of publishers destroying video games sold to customers, highlighting issues of planned obsolescence and the preservation of digital culture. The movement has gained significant support, amassing over a million signatures for its EU petition, but any potential policy changes would likely be limited to the EU and UK, allowing publishers to continue shutting down games in other regions without similar scrutiny.