Direct Messages Archives

AppWizard

May 9, 2025

These dangerous Android apps are installed 2.5 million times each month

Kaleidoscope is an ad-fraud attack targeting Android users by exploiting legitimate applications on the Google Play Store and offering malicious duplicates through third-party app stores. Approximately 2.5 million devices are affected monthly, with 20% of incidents occurring in India, and other impacted regions include Indonesia, the Philippines, and Brazil. Users unknowingly download legitimate-looking apps while malicious versions circulate elsewhere, leading to intrusive advertisements that disrupt user experience and generate revenue for cybercriminals. Google has removed flagged titles from the Play Store and is enhancing protections, but ad resellers often fail to properly vet their inventory. The adware causes device overheating, rapid battery drain, and sluggish performance, highlighting the need for user vigilance.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Someone Reportedly Hacked the Messaging App Mike Waltz Was Seen Using

A cybersecurity breach involving TeleMessage, an Israeli messaging application company, has raised concerns about customer data safety. The breach allowed unauthorized access to direct messages and personal information on the platform, which lacks full end-to-end encryption like Signal. The hacker reported that accessing the data took only 15-20 minutes and exposed names, phone numbers, and email addresses of Customs and Border Protection officials, along with information from various financial institutions. TeleMessage is used by government agencies, including the State Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, making the breach more significant. While the hacker did not access all content, they indicated potential for further breaches, and journalists have verified some of the compromised material. TeleMessage's claim of maintaining Signal's security standards is questioned, as archiving messages introduces privacy risks. A spokesperson for Signal warned against using unofficial versions of their app, highlighting security vulnerabilities.

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

Another messaging app used by the White House is in hot water

Former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has come under scrutiny for using TeleMessage, an app that has recently experienced a security breach resulting in the theft of sensitive data, including direct messages and group chats. High-ranking officials from the Trump administration, including Waltz, Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, were reported to have used the app. A photograph captured Waltz during a Cabinet meeting appearing to use TeleMessage to access Signal messages, raising concerns due to his previous controversy involving a chat room on Signal that included a journalist. The security vulnerabilities of TeleMessage have been criticized, particularly as it lacks the robust encryption features of Signal. The app was initially marketed as a solution for preserving messages for government record-keeping, but its reliability has been questioned.

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

TikTok Will Now Enable You to Drive Leads to Other Messaging Apps

TikTok has enhanced its Promote ads feature by allowing brands to target direct messages (DMs) through third-party messaging applications, including WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, LINE, and Zalo. Advertisers can now drive message traffic to these external platforms instead of only encouraging interactions within the TikTok app. This change is particularly useful for lead generation campaigns targeting users with compatible messaging apps installed. The supported messaging platforms currently are LINE, Zalo, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger. This update aims to improve customer engagement and simplify management of interactions across different messaging channels.

AppWizard

April 25, 2025

Feds say Ashland man had child porn on Telegram Messenger app. What’s next

Brent Vreeland, a 36-year-old resident of Ashland, has agreed to voluntary detention after a federal hearing on April 24, facing charges related to the distribution of child pornography via the Telegram Messenger app. He has been charged with one count of transportation of child pornography following an investigation that began last October. Vreeland was apprehended at his home after arriving at Logan International Airport in Boston from Reykjavik, Iceland. During a secondary screening, security personnel found suspected child pornography on his phone, leading to an alert for federal investigators. The investigation revealed that Vreeland had conversations on Telegram soliciting content involving minors and sent a video featuring a child as young as four years old to another user, with authorities discovering 30 media files depicting children in his direct messages. If convicted, he faces a potential sentence of five to 20 years in federal prison, a 0,000 fine, and lifetime supervised release. He was ordered to be held without bail during his initial hearing.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

NJ AG sues Discord, claims the messaging app exposes kids to online predators

Law enforcement officials in New Jersey have filed a lawsuit against Discord, claiming the company misled parents about its safety controls and failed to protect children from sexual and violent content on its platform. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin stated that Discord has violated consumer protection laws, exposing children to risks from online predators. The lawsuit alleges that Discord's safety features were inadequate and that the app's claims of protecting young users were misleading. Specifically, it criticized the "Safe Direct Messaging" feature for failing to effectively detect or delete explicit content. The lawsuit seeks remedies including an injunction against further violations, civil penalties, and forfeiture of profits generated in New Jersey.

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

Meta Expands Teen Safety Protections to Facebook and Messenger

Meta Platforms Inc. is implementing new safety and privacy measures for users under 16 on its platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger. These measures include prohibiting teens from hosting live videos without parental consent and banning the sharing of images with suspected nudity via direct messages. Additionally, Meta is introducing "Teen Accounts" on Facebook and Messenger, which will have stricter privacy settings, following a similar rollout on Instagram.

AppWizard

April 9, 2025

Instagram’s Teen Accounts feature is coming to Facebook and Messenger soon

Meta is expanding its Teen Accounts protections, initially launched on Instagram, to Facebook and Messenger for users aged 13-15. These accounts limit messaging capabilities, filter out inappropriate content, and remind users to take breaks from screen time. Teens under 16 need parental permission to change default settings, with 97% choosing to maintain protections. The rollout of similar Teen Accounts on Facebook and Messenger is happening in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, with global expansion planned. New features for Instagram Teen Accounts will require parental approval for going Live and disabling a feature that blurs suspected nude images in direct messages. An Ipsos survey indicated that 94% of US parents find Teen Accounts beneficial, and 85% believe they promote positive online experiences. Meta has over 54 million active Teen Accounts globally and is committed to enhancing safety for young users.

AppWizard

April 8, 2025

Meta brings Teen accounts to Facebook and Messenger

Meta is expanding its “Teen Accounts” initiative to include Facebook and Messenger, which were initially introduced on Instagram. This feature automatically implements privacy settings, content restrictions, and parental controls for users under 18. The initial rollout targets users in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, with plans for global availability. Teen Accounts aim to reduce exposure to harmful content and enhance parental oversight by limiting interactions to friends or previously contacted users. Meta reports that 54 million teens worldwide have adopted Teen Accounts on Instagram, with 97% of teens aged 13-15 opting to retain their built-in protections. A study showed that 94% of parents found Teen Accounts helpful, and 85% believed they fostered a positive online experience. Additional protections for teens under 16 on Instagram include requiring parental approval for live broadcasts and disabling nudity protection. Meta has also introduced features to encourage breaks from device usage, such as daily reminders and the activation of “Quiet Mode” at night.

AppWizard

April 8, 2025

Meta Is Expanding Teen Accounts to Facebook and Messenger

Meta has expanded its Teen Accounts, initially launched on Instagram, to Facebook and Messenger in the United States, the UK, Australia, and Canada. Users under 18 will automatically transition to these accounts, receiving notifications about the changes. Teen Accounts will include protective features similar to those on Instagram, with new restrictions for users under 16, such as needing parental consent to live broadcast and to disable nudity image blurring in direct messages. A significant 97% of users aged 13-15 maintain default protections on their accounts. For teens under 16, parental permission is required for account changes, and parents can establish supervision through the Family Center feature, allowing them to manage permissions while respecting the teen's privacy.