digital communication Archives

AppWizard

July 31, 2026

Russia Designates Telegram Founder Pavel Durov As A ‘Terrorist’

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, was designated as a "terrorist" and "extremist" by Russia's FSB on July 29, ahead of parliamentary elections in September, due to claims that Ukrainian intelligence services extensively use Telegram. Durov, who has dual citizenship in France and the UAE, publicly expressed defiance against this classification by sharing content emphasizing "freedom of expression." This designation aligns him legally with Aleksei Navalny, though it does not extend to the Telegram platform itself. Telegram remains popular in Russia despite regulatory challenges and has been used by Russian intelligence services. Durov has resisted government pressure to allow access to the app's security infrastructure. The FSB is attempting to tighten control over Telegram, but its significance for political mobilization complicates these efforts. Additionally, Durov faces legal threats in Europe related to content moderation on Telegram.

AppWizard

July 30, 2026

How to Retrieve Deleted Facebook Messenger Messages?

Deleted Facebook Messenger messages are removed from the user's view but may still exist in local storage temporarily, while Meta retains server data for specific periods based on the deletion type. 1. Unsend / Remove for Everyone: Messages are removed from all chats for up to 14 days (or 6 hours for end-to-end encrypted chats). 2. Deleted Facebook Account: Messages are removed from active servers but may remain in backup storage for 90–180 days. 3. Deleted from Your Inbox Only: Messages are removed only from the user's view; the recipient retains their copy. To recover deleted messages, users can rely on backups through Google Drive or local copies, and Facebook's "Download Your Information" feature, which may not include unsent messages. Dr.Fone – Data Recover (Android) is a recovery software that can scan phone storage for remnants of deleted messages, supporting over 14 data types across more than 6000 Android devices without needing root access or USB debugging. Steps to recover messages using Dr.Fone: 1. Access the Data Recovery tool for Android and select “Recover Android Data.” 2. Initiate a read-only scan for messages. 3. Filter and preview messages, then restore them to a chosen export location. To prevent future loss of important messages, users can: - Enable Google Drive Backup. - Archive conversations instead of deleting them. - Download a Facebook Data Archive. - Screenshot critical messages. - Enable end-to-end encrypted chats. - Use Dr.Fone for regular backups.

AppWizard

July 25, 2026

Kommersant: foreign messaging app audience in Russia grew 26%. Telegram remains among leaders despite being blocked.

The combined audience of foreign messaging applications in Russia increased by 26% in the second quarter of 2026. The Turkish app BiP experienced a 120% increase in unique users, totaling 4.3 million, while KakaoTalk grew by 80%, reaching nearly 1.3 million users. The American app imo remains the leader with 12.2 million users, but its growth was only 1% in the same quarter. Major telecom companies like MegaFon reported a 20% decline in imo usage among their subscribers. Telegram had a monthly audience of 75.7 million, Max messenger had 86.2 million, and WhatsApp had 63.5 million users. Telegram and WhatsApp have faced significant restrictions, leading to a gradual decline in their audience. After calls on Telegram and WhatsApp were banned in August 2025, users began exploring alternative messaging applications, contributing to the rise of lesser-known services.

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

Amnesia: What If a Messenger Was Designed to Forget?

In digital communication, traditional messaging platforms act as persistent archives of user data, including accounts, devices, contacts, and interactions, which can hinder the essence of communication. While end-to-end encryption enhances privacy, it does not eliminate data retention. Amnesia is a concept that proposes a messaging platform emphasizing temporary communication with no permanent accounts or conversation histories. The initial prototype allows users to create one-time sessions using QR codes, ensuring that all data is destroyed once the session ends. Each session generates unique identity keys, preventing credential reuse and session token theft. The system does not retain any conversation history, reinforcing the principle that once a session is terminated, the data is irretrievable. Amnesia's relay facilitates communication without retaining user accounts or histories, and its design minimizes durable information to reduce risks. The project is currently an architectural concept and an early prototype, not ready for production or sensitive communications.

AppWizard

June 30, 2026

WhatsApp messenger to begin offering usernames

WhatsApp is introducing a feature that allows users to communicate without sharing their phone numbers by creating unique usernames. This feature aims to enhance privacy and security, enabling users to connect solely by exchanging usernames. Users will receive notifications when the feature becomes available in their countries, and creators, small businesses, and organizations can claim usernames they use on other Meta platforms. Usernames will be limited to 35 characters, and high-profile individuals will not be able to register their names. Despite these changes, experts express concerns about WhatsApp's overall privacy practices, as the platform collects extensive metadata for marketing purposes. Users' phone numbers will still be required to create an account, and there will be no public username directory. Kunal Shah has been appointed as the new head of WhatsApp, succeeding Will Cathcart.

AppWizard

June 16, 2026

Telegram ban in India: 6 messaging apps to switch to right now

WhatsApp is the predominant messaging platform in India, known for its extensive user base and robust features, including end-to-end encryption, voice and video calls, communities for large group interactions, document sharing, status updates, and business messaging. It provides a seamless transition for users coming from Telegram due to its intuitive interface and widespread acceptance, allowing easy adaptation without extensive onboarding.

AppWizard

June 10, 2026

Kakao’s unionized members stage first-ever strike

Unionized members of Kakao Corp. held the company's first-ever strike on June 10, 2026, in front of the Kakao Pangyo Agit headquarters in Seongnam. The striking employees are demanding higher bonuses and a more equitable profit-sharing model, reflecting a broader trend among tech workers seeking compensation aligned with company success. The rally emphasized a shift in corporate culture at Kakao, with employees becoming more vocal about their rights and expectations. The outcome of the strike could have significant implications for labor relations in the tech industry.

AppWizard

May 29, 2026

Russian messaging app launched in Tanzania in Africa expansion drive

A Russian-developed messaging application called Max has been launched in Tanzania, offering integrated communication services such as text messaging, voice and video calls, file sharing, and online conferencing. The application has over 110 million registered users globally, with more than 80 million using it daily. Max is designed for a wide audience, including businesses and individuals, and features tools like group calls, news channels, and screen sharing. It is accessible in various regions, allowing users to register with local mobile numbers. The app utilizes NoLACE technology to improve communication quality in areas with poor connectivity.

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

Facebook Messenger Statistics By Country And Demographics (2026)

In the first quarter of 2026, Meta's Family of Apps, including Facebook Messenger, reported a revenue of USD 55.9 billion. Messenger's in-chat payment services facilitated nearly USD 6.8 billion in transactions across 47 countries during the same quarter. The platform had approximately 1.12 billion monthly active users as of Q1 2026, with the largest demographic segment being individuals aged 25-34. By October 2025, the Philippines and Vietnam achieved the highest global user reach for Messenger, at 83.3% and 78.1%, respectively. Southeast Asia accounted for 212 million Messenger users by the end of 2025, representing 22.4% of the global total. Users typically spend nearly 13 minutes per session on the app, with 42.6% accessing it daily. Messenger messages have an 80% open rate within the first hour of delivery. Over 60 million businesses utilize Messenger for various purposes, and the platform supports more than 500,000 active chatbots, with 41% of these employing generative AI. Meta matched 100% of the electricity used across Facebook Messenger with clean, renewable energy in 2026. In Q1 2026, Meta’s Family of Apps generated USD 55.9 billion in revenue. Messenger's business messaging tools contributed USD 3.2 billion to non-advertising revenue in the first half of 2026. In-chat payment services processed nearly USD 6.8 billion in transactions in 2026. Messenger had approximately 1.12 billion monthly active users, equating to about 12% of the global population. As of October 2025, Messenger had nearly 942 million users globally. Users aged 25-34 comprised nearly 32% of Messenger's user base in 2026. By October 2025, 55.8% of Messenger users were men, while 43.5% were women. The highest user reach for Messenger was in the Philippines at 83.3% and in Vietnam at 78.1% as of October 2025. Southeast Asia had 212 million Messenger users by the end of 2025, making up 22.4% of the global total. Users spend about 198-201 minutes per month on the app and open it approximately 183.9 times each month. Each session lasts about 1 minute and 6 seconds. About 42.6% of users open the app daily. Messenger ads reached nearly 947 million users worldwide in 2026.

AppWizard

May 13, 2026

Facebook Messenger Not Working? Troubleshoot Messages, Calls, and Notifications

To restore notifications on your smartphone, first check if 'Do Not Disturb' or 'Focus' modes are activated and disable them if they are. Next, go to your device settings, locate the Messenger app, and ensure that 'Allow Notifications' is enabled. Then, within the Messenger app, access the 'Notifications and Sounds' menu to customize specific chat alerts.