data sharing Archives

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

No, Google isn’t using your Gmail data to train AI models, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful about the kind of data you share with companies

The ongoing dialogue surrounding data collection highlights the relationship between users and their digital footprints, particularly during events like Black Friday. Recent claims about a new Gmail setting allowing Google to use user message data for AI training have been clarified by Google, which states it does not use Workspace data for this purpose. Instead, data is anonymized to improve features like spam detection. Users often become the product in a digital economy where their data is exchanged for free services, leading to the creation of detailed profiles that can be sold to advertisers. This results in practices like price discrimination and hyper-targeted messaging. Data breaches pose a threat to companies holding extensive data, and automated decision-making can lead to biased outcomes. Consumers are encouraged to engage with privacy policies and question the necessity of data requests to better manage their data and maintain ownership of their digital identity.

AppWizard

November 10, 2025

Tandem Diabetes Care’s mobile app cleared by the FDA for Android phones

The Tandem Mobi app has received FDA clearance and will soon be available for download on the Google Play Store for compatible Android devices, including Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy. The app features real-time data monitoring, personalized insulin delivery adjustments, and comprehensive health tracking, aiming to enhance diabetes management and improve patient-provider communication. Its approval highlights a trend in digital health solutions for chronic disease management, positioning Tandem Diabetes Care to significantly impact the diabetes care market.

AppWizard

November 1, 2025

Elon Musk Is Building X Chat — His Answer to WhatsApp and Telegram

Elon Musk is set to launch X Chat, a new messaging app designed to compete with WhatsApp and Telegram, featuring Bitcoin-inspired encryption and a commitment not to sell user data to advertisers. He revealed the project on The Joe Rogan Experience, explaining that his team has revamped the messaging infrastructure of the X platform to create this distinct app. The launch is expected in the coming months, and Musk emphasized that X Chat will operate without advertising hooks. Musk criticized WhatsApp for its data practices, asserting that it allows for potential privacy breaches. In contrast, he aims for X Chat to be a secure platform for sending text, files, and making audio and video calls, available both within the X platform and as a standalone app.

AppWizard

October 15, 2025

Think You’re Safe? Hackers Can Now Peek at Every Password You Type on Android

Android smartphones are being targeted by malware named "Pixnapping," which uses pixel-stealing technology to extract information directly from the screen without requiring elevated permissions. This malware captures repeated background screenshots to read pixels, allowing it to surveil sensitive information such as messages, passwords, and two-factor authentication (2FA) codes. The extracted data is transmitted to a remote server controlled by attackers, enabling them to infiltrate accounts and perform actions like altering settings or making purchases. The malware's effectiveness varies by device, with a recovery rate of 53% for 2FA codes on the Pixel 9 and 73% on the Pixel 6. A vulnerability in Android APIs, designated as CVE-2025-48561, is exploited by this malware. Google was notified of the vulnerability in February and issued a partial fix in September, but the issue remains unresolved. Users are advised to keep their devices updated, enable built-in protections, avoid unverified apps, and consider hardware-based two-factor authentication for enhanced security.

AppWizard

October 8, 2025

The Indian messaging app that wants to take on WhatsApp

The Indian messaging app Arattai, developed by Zoho, has gained seven million downloads in a week, a significant increase from fewer than 10,000 downloads in August. This surge is attributed to the Indian government's promotion of self-reliance and homegrown products, with endorsements from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and federal minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Arattai's daily sign-ups rose from 3,000 to 350,000 within three days of the government's support. Despite its initial success, Arattai faces competition from WhatsApp, which has around 500 million monthly active users in India. While Arattai offers similar features to WhatsApp, challenges include retaining users beyond initial downloads, concerns about data privacy, and compliance with Indian regulations. Arattai currently provides end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls, but not for text messages; however, it is working to implement this feature. User trust and clarity regarding data privacy will be critical for Arattai's sustained success in a competitive market.

AppWizard

September 11, 2025

Health Connect will soon track your steps without needing another app

Google is enhancing its Health Connect platform by introducing native step tracking capabilities, transitioning from a data aggregator to a direct data collector from phone sensors. Launched in 2022, Health Connect serves as a centralized hub for health and fitness data, allowing applications to share data like steps, heart rate, and sleep patterns. Users can manage permissions for which applications can access their health data. The integration with Android 14 facilitates easy downloading of health applications and data sharing. Recent findings indicate that Google is working on implementing native step tracking, with a new “Devices” page showing connected devices that can write step data to Health Connect. Although step counting is not yet functional, the technology is capable, suggesting ongoing refinement. This evolution positions Health Connect as a competitor to Apple Health and raises questions about the future of Fitbit, which may continue to serve users seeking advanced metrics.

AppWizard

September 9, 2025

Enhance Your Android Gaming Experience with Comparison Platforms

A new Android player has entered the Play Store, which offers a vast array of app choices, leading to overwhelming search results for users. Comparison platforms have emerged to help users navigate this environment by providing clear, actionable cues regarding app features and performance. These tools allow users to make informed decisions by assessing privacy disclosures, update frequencies, and summarizing permissions and data usage in user-friendly formats. They enable players to filter options based on essential criteria like genre, difficulty, controller support, offline mode, file size, and update frequency. Comparison sites also visualize privacy and permission descriptions, offering context that star ratings may lack. They help users create tailored shortlists based on non-negotiable criteria, such as device compatibility and monetization models. Overall, these platforms are transforming the app discovery process from passive browsing to active selection, allowing players to tailor their gaming experiences to their lifestyles.

AppWizard

September 6, 2025

Russia targets WhatsApp and pushes new ‘super-app’ as internet blackouts grow

Marina, a 45-year-old freelance copywriter, has experienced disruptions in WhatsApp and Telegram services due to new restrictions by Roskomnadzor, affecting communication for millions of Russians. The restrictions coincide with the launch of a state-sponsored app called Max, which is being promoted heavily and is required to be pre-installed on devices sold in Russia as of September 1. Max is designed to integrate various services, including government and banking, similar to China's WeChat, but raises privacy concerns due to its data-sharing policies. In addition to app restrictions, many regions in Russia are experiencing regular mobile internet outages, justified by the government as protection against potential drone attacks, but criticized by experts. The Kremlin's tightening control over internet freedoms has been ongoing since 2012 and intensified following the invasion of Ukraine. The government is working on a plan to limit online access to essential services during outages, further increasing control over the population's digital activities.

AppWizard

September 4, 2025

Russia promotes ‘national messenger’ to vanquish WhatsApp in fresh crackdown

Russian government minister Maksut Shadayev expressed concerns to President Vladimir Putin about foreign messaging apps like WhatsApp and proposed creating a "fully Russian messenger." Putin supported this idea and signed a law establishing a national messenger service, granting the status to the app Max, developed by VKontakte (VK). Roskomnadzor has begun restricting services like Telegram and WhatsApp due to their involvement in harmful activities, marking a significant effort to limit online freedoms since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Digital rights activists worry Max could facilitate government surveillance as it lacks end-to-end encryption, allowing data storage on VK's servers and sharing with law enforcement. Max's user base grew from 1 million to 30 million following a marketing campaign, and schools are now required to use it for official communications. Putin's administration is working to limit software from countries deemed unfriendly, putting WhatsApp's future in Russia in jeopardy. The status of Telegram remains uncertain, as the state has previously attempted to ban it but now utilizes it for communication. Recent legislation has criminalized searching for "extremist materials" and mandated migrant workers to install a surveillance app.

AppWizard

September 3, 2025

US Judge says Google can keep Chrome, but ‘exclusive deals’ are a no-go

On September 2, U.S. Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google will not be required to divest its Chrome or Android assets in the ongoing antitrust case concerning its online search monopoly. Instead, Google must share search data with competitors. The Department of Justice (DOJ) had previously advocated for Google to sell Chrome to provide other search engines a fairer opportunity to attract users. Judge Mehta's ruling reflects a shift towards a collaborative approach, emphasizing data sharing to foster competition. The DOJ remains committed to scrutinizing Google's Chrome platform and has tempered its demands regarding Google's AI investments, favoring stricter oversight over divestiture.