data sharing

AppWizard
August 19, 2025
Recent research from Arizona State University and Citizen Lab has identified connections among three families of Android VPN applications with over 700 million downloads, raising concerns about user privacy and security. The analysis revealed three groups of VPN providers: 1. Group A: Eight apps from three providers sharing identical Java code and libraries, exhibiting vulnerabilities such as: - Collecting location data against privacy policies. - Using weak encryption methods. - Hard-coded Shadowsocks passwords that could allow traffic decryption. 2. Group B: Eight apps from five providers supporting only the Shadowsocks protocol, sharing libraries and hard-coded passwords, with all servers hosted by GlobalTeleHost Corp. 3. Group C: Two providers with one app each, using a custom tunneling protocol and sharing similar code, vulnerable to connection inference attacks. The research highlighted significant privacy breaches, including undisclosed location data collection and vulnerabilities that could allow eavesdroppers to decrypt communications. Alarmingly, these VPN providers are linked to Qihoo 360, a Chinese company that has concealed this connection, raising concerns about potential data sharing with the government due to China's strict laws. Additionally, the Tech Transparency Project found that many free VPN apps on the Apple App Store are also linked to companies in mainland China or Hong Kong without disclosing these ties.
AppWizard
July 22, 2025
The Kremlin has increased restrictions on Russian citizens' access to foreign websites and information that contradicts state narratives since the Ukraine conflict began. New legislation has been passed to impose fines for searching for "extremist" content and for advertising VPN services, with penalties including fines of up to 5,000 rubles for individual users. A potential ban on WhatsApp is being considered in favor of a domestic alternative called Max, which is expected to serve as Russia's national messaging platform and may collect user data. Approximately 680 bots have been promoting Max while disparaging WhatsApp. Additionally, at least 40 Russian regions have recently experienced mobile internet outages, which coincide with increased Ukrainian drone attacks and are speculated to serve both security and internet sovereignty goals.
AppWizard
July 15, 2025
In 2023, a family at an amusement park experienced technology's impact on privacy when the park's app used geolocation to notify a waiting parent about fast-track entry. Spanish researchers investigated how apps exploit Bluetooth and Wi-Fi permissions to track users indoors, even without GPS. Their findings, to be presented at the Pets privacy conference, reveal that 86% of 9,976 analyzed Android apps collect sensitive data, including location coordinates. The study highlights ethical concerns regarding data sharing and potential misuse, as information can track individuals' movements and identify sensitive activities. Many apps use software development kits (SDKs) that include hidden location tracking features, with 52 SDKs identified in nearly 10,000 apps installed on around 55 billion devices. The Android Advertising ID allows companies to track users and create detailed profiles based on location data, raising ethical dilemmas about privacy and the commodification of personal information.
Winsage
July 12, 2025
Windows 11 has settings that can impact user experience, performance, and security. The following settings are recommended to disable for improved performance and security: 1. Telemetry: Disable the "Send optional diagnostic data" setting in Settings -> Privacy and Security -> Diagnostics and feedback, and set Feedback frequency to Never to limit data sharing. 2. Windows Search: Disable the Windows Search service by searching for Services, locating Windows Search, and changing its Startup type to Disabled. 3. Location Services: Turn off Location Services and "Let apps access your location" in Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Location to enhance privacy and battery performance. 4. Network Discovery: Disable Network Discovery on both Public and Private networks in Settings -> Network & Internet -> Advanced Network Settings -> Advanced sharing settings to minimize security risks. 5. Connect automatically to a Wi-Fi network: Uncheck the "Connect Automatically when in range" option for public networks under Settings -> Network & Internet -> Wi-Fi -> Manage known networks to avoid connecting to potentially unsafe networks.
Winsage
July 9, 2025
The Windows registry is a crucial part of Microsoft's operating system, recording various system operations. Users can modify the registry through the Registry Editor to enhance performance and user experience, but must do so cautiously to avoid system issues. To take ownership of files, users can add a "Take Ownership" option to the context menu by creating a .reg file. To restore the old Windows 10 context menu in Windows 11, a new key can be added in the Registry Editor. Power throttling can be disabled by creating a new key and DWORD value in the Registry Editor, improving performance for desktop users. Users can disable the Copilot feature by creating a specific key and DWORD value in the Registry Editor. To reduce telemetry data collection, a DWORD value can be set to 0 in the Registry Editor. It is recommended to back up files and create a Restore Point before making any registry changes, and to test risky tweaks on a virtual machine or secondary device.
AppWizard
June 20, 2025
Google is preparing to roll out enhancements for Gboard, including a feature called "SmartEdit" that uses generative AI for voice-driven editing, allowing users to add, remove, or replace words with their voice. Another rumored feature, "Magic Cue," may integrate with Gboard's clipboard to recognize relevant information in apps like Gmail for easier data sharing. Magic Cue has previously been known as "Pixel Sense" and "Pixie" and aims to provide time-saving actions. Additionally, a "favorites" list for Emoji Kitchen will allow users to save their favorite emoji combinations. These features are still in development.
AppWizard
June 18, 2025
The Iranian government has advised citizens to uninstall WhatsApp due to concerns that user data is being transmitted to Israel amid ongoing military tensions between Iran and Israel. Iranian state television has called for action against the app, while WhatsApp has responded by emphasizing its commitment to user privacy and denying allegations of data sharing with any government. WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption ensures that only the sender and recipient can access message content, maintaining the confidentiality of communications.
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