developers Archives

AppWizard

August 5, 2026

Android Developers Unknowingly Leak User Location Data

Recent research from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has revealed that millions of Android users' location data are being inadvertently exposed to advertisers through third-party code libraries. This occurs when seemingly harmless applications, like weather services and fitness trackers, integrate third-party SDKs that collect user location information automatically upon permission approval, often without developers' awareness. Data brokers aggregate this location information to create detailed movement profiles sold to advertisers and government agencies. Despite privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA, enforcement is inconsistent, and developers may claim ignorance regarding data practices they did not implement. Google has improved Android's privacy controls, but visibility into third-party libraries accessing data remains limited. Developers face challenges in auditing third-party code due to resource constraints, leading to a complex landscape where user information traverses multiple entities without clear accountability. Privacy advocates are calling for new technical standards to require SDKs to disclose their data practices.

AppWizard

August 5, 2026

Tor launches Snowflake Android app to help users bypass censorship

The Tor Project has launched Snowflake Volunteer, an Android app that allows users to share their internet bandwidth to help others bypass online censorship. Snowflake functions as a Tor pluggable transport, disguising user traffic as video calls and routing it through temporary proxies managed by volunteers, making detection by censors more difficult. The app was developed by Bloco, a Portuguese studio, in collaboration with Tor’s anti-censorship team and is designed to be user-friendly while minimizing battery consumption. Users can configure the app to operate on unmetered networks and limit connections. Snowflake Volunteer is available on Google Play and F-Droid, with its source code also accessible for independent use. Volunteers are advised to consider their data limits and device impact before using the app.

Winsage

August 4, 2026

Windows 11 Home Vs Pro: What’s the difference, and is it worth the upgrade?

Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro share a user-friendly interface and many features, but Pro offers additional functionalities and security enhancements. Windows 11 Home is available as a complimentary upgrade for users of Windows 10, while new installations cost 9 for Home and 9 for Pro. Pro includes features like BitLocker for data security and remote desktop access, which are beneficial for demanding users. Windows 11 Home supports up to 128 GB of RAM, while Pro supports up to 2 TB, catering to enterprises with advanced needs. For average users, the Home edition suffices for tasks like browsing and gaming, while Pro is more suited for business users and developers due to its advanced features. Performance is similar in both versions for general use.

AppWizard

August 4, 2026

Google is introducing mandatory identity verification for Android app developers

Google will require mandatory identity verification for all developers creating applications for the Android platform, affecting those from countries under U.S. sanctions, such as Russia, Iran, Cuba, and North Korea, who will be excluded from the verification system and may not distribute their apps internationally. The new regulations apply to developers of apps for Android 7 and later versions.

AppWizard

August 4, 2026

Android app developers may be unwittingly sharing their users’ location data with advertisers

Mobile apps often require precise location data for functionality, but there are concerns about the unintentional sharing of this sensitive information with third parties, such as advertisers and data brokers. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) found that third-party code in apps may collect location data without users' explicit consent due to default settings in software development kits (SDKs). Unless developers disable this feature, SDKs inherit app permissions, leading to the collection of users' location data. This raises privacy issues, as users' location histories can be sold to data brokers and potentially accessed by military and intelligence agencies. The EFF identified that certain Android apps, downloaded over 60 million times, were sharing location data without user awareness. Currently, there are no SDK-specific location permissions, meaning that consent to share location data with an app also extends to advertisers. The EFF calls for a change in industry standards to prevent default data sharing by advertising SDKs.

AppWizard

August 4, 2026

Xbox Backward Compatibility on PC and Helix will reportedly include Xbox 360 games

Microsoft's Xbox division plans to expand backward compatibility for PC to include Xbox 360 games, allowing developers to make their titles available for PC users. This initiative follows the recent introduction of four original Xbox games to PC. The Xbox 360 games will be playable on various platforms, including the Xbox app on Windows, handheld devices, and the upcoming Project Helix console. Developers will have control over backward compatibility, pricing, and availability on Xbox Game Pass. The rollout for Xbox 360 compatibility is expected between 2027 and 2028, while the full launch for original Xbox games on PC is scheduled for October, with enhancements like 4x resolution scaling and anti-aliasing. Additionally, achievements will be introduced for original Xbox titles on both console and PC.

AppWizard

August 4, 2026

Samsung follows LG in killing Smart TV apps that rent out your internet

Security researchers found that several Samsung Smart TV applications, including Pac-Man, were embedding residential proxy SDKs from data brokers like Bright Data. In response, Samsung has banned the inclusion of residential proxy functionality in new app submissions and is working to remove existing apps with such software. The investigation by Norwegian cybersecurity firm Mnemonic revealed that the Bright Data SDK was integrated into various gaming applications, some promoted by Samsung. While Samsung TVs were not automatically sharing internet connections, the SDK could be activated remotely by developers, requiring user consent. Once consent was granted, the proxy service could operate in the background. Many Samsung TV applications were found to download most of their code from remote servers, complicating verification processes. The issue of residential proxy software is not limited to Samsung, as it has also been identified in various Android apps and devices. Following these findings, LG and Google have also taken measures to address the risks associated with residential proxy networks.

AppWizard

August 4, 2026

Tor launches Snowflake Android app to help users bypass censorship

The Tor Project has launched an Android app called Snowflake Volunteer, allowing users to share their internet bandwidth to help others bypass online censorship. The app enhances the network of volunteer-operated Snowflake proxies while enabling users to manage their device's battery and network usage. Snowflake disguises internet traffic to resemble video calls, making it harder for censors to block connections. Developed by Bloco in collaboration with Tor’s anti-censorship team, the app is built on mobile Tor components and is designed for background operation. Users can configure the app to run on unmetered networks and during charging. Snowflake Volunteer is available for download on Google Play and F-Droid, with its source code accessible for independent compilation. Volunteers are advised to consider their data limits and device performance when using the app.

AppWizard

August 4, 2026

DoubleVerify finds dozens of Android apps a month showing ads after calls

A recent analysis by DoubleVerify engineers has identified a trend in mobile advertising known as AfterCall ads, where applications display advertisements immediately after a phone call ends. This practice generates hundreds of millions of impressions monthly and raises concerns about user experience and brand integrity. AfterCall applications operate using three components: a misleading permission, a Broadcast Receiver to capture end-of-call events, and an Activity to display ads. The SYSTEMALERTWINDOW permission allows these apps to show content over others, often granted under false pretenses. They utilize Android's telephony system to trigger ads post-call and employ tactics to obscure their presence, such as removing themselves from the recent apps list and using innocuous icons. Detection is challenging due to the lack of shared codebases and the obfuscation techniques used. The scale of the issue is significant, with numerous AfterCall applications identified monthly, negatively impacting user experience and raising concerns for advertisers.

AppWizard

August 4, 2026

Steam’s Cyberpunk Fest is live with huge discounts on futuristic PC games

Steam has launched Cyberpunk Fest, a themed event lasting seven days, featuring discounts on various cyberpunk games, free demos, and previews of upcoming titles. Key highlights include Cyberpunk 2077, now priced at .99/€17.99/£14.99 with a 70% discount, and the Ultimate Edition at .10/€33.10/£27.58 with a 60% discount. Indie game Katanaut is available for .63/€5.42/£4.63 at a 69% discount, while Peripeteia is priced at .38/€17.93/£15.38 with a 25% discount. Other notable discounts include RoboCop: Rogue City at 90% off, and both Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Director's Cut and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided at 85% off. The event runs until August 10.