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CCP-Controlled Messaging App WeChat Used for ‘Coordination Among Chinese Criminal Networks’ in US, Sen Lankford Writes to Trump
AppWizard
January 27, 2026

CCP-Controlled Messaging App WeChat Used for ‘Coordination Among Chinese Criminal Networks’ in US, Sen Lankford Writes to Trump

Senator James Lankford has requested the White House to consider banning WeChat from U.S. app stores due to concerns about its use by Chinese criminal organizations for activities like drug trafficking and money laundering. WeChat, owned by Tencent Holdings Ltd., has been identified as a key tool for coordinating these criminal networks. U.S. law enforcement currently lacks access to WeChat's encrypted communications, complicating investigations. This request follows a previous attempt by the Trump administration to ban WeChat, which was deemed unconstitutional. The Biden administration has since conducted a national security assessment and enacted the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which allows the president to blacklist Chinese applications like WeChat. The Pentagon has already blacklisted Tencent for its ties to Chinese military companies. Recent criminal activities linked to WeChat include a case where a Chinese national was charged with murder on an illegal marijuana farm. Lankford urges the designation of WeChat as a "covered company" to enhance U.S. national security and assist law enforcement against Chinese criminal networks.
PixelAnt spins out from Sumo Group
AppWizard
September 9, 2025

PixelAnt spins out from Sumo Group

PixelAnt Games has announced its independence from Sumo Group, focusing on developing its own intellectual properties and work-for-hire projects. This change pertains to PixelAnt's Polish operations, while the Czech studio remains with Sumo Group. Currently, PixelAnt is working with Bloober Team on a Nintendo Switch 2 port of Cronos: The New Dawn. The studio aims to seek partnerships, funding, and publishing opportunities. PixelAnt was acquired by Sumo Group in 2021 for £250,000.
The Chinese Room completes management buyout
AppWizard
July 21, 2025

The Chinese Room completes management buyout

The Chinese Room has transitioned to independence following a management buyout (MBO) and has severed ties with Sumo Digital, facilitated by venture capital firm Hiro Capital. The studio has undergone restructuring, resulting in layoffs, and currently employs 55 developers. Studio director Ed Daly confirmed that several roles were made redundant during this process. The studio is focusing on developing original intellectual properties as well as working with partner IPs, including projects like Still Wakes the Deep and Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2. Additionally, John McCormack has been promoted to studio creative director, and Ross Manton has been promoted to production director.
Oblivion Remastered hit 4 million players in less than a week, with a big chunk of them buying the game on Steam
AppWizard
April 26, 2025

Oblivion Remastered hit 4 million players in less than a week, with a big chunk of them buying the game on Steam

Bethesda has announced that over four million players have engaged with the remaster of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion. The remaster has achieved nearly 200,000 concurrent players on Steam, ranking it at the top of Steam's best-sellers list and second on the SteamDB best-selling tracker. The Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) National Committee has called for a boycott of Xbox products due to Microsoft's provision of cloud and AI services to the Israeli military.
Hitachi Energy's upgrade to Windows 11 on 89% of desktops
Winsage
March 19, 2025

Hitachi Energy’s upgrade to Windows 11 on 89% of desktops

Hitachi Energy has migrated over 40,000 desktops to Windows 11 across 12 countries, starting with a pilot of 500 devices in November 2023 and full rollout beginning in March 2024, expected to complete by October 2024. The company assessed 45,335 devices, with 43,568 suitable for upgrade, and found 2,330 out of 3,034 applications compatible with Windows 11, achieving a 76% compatibility rate. Approximately 40,600 devices, nearly 90%, successfully transitioned to Windows 11, while the rest were upgraded to Windows 10. The migration utilized ManagementStudio integrated with various platforms for efficiency, with nearly 10,000 devices upgraded in May 2024. A pilot program tested the new OS with selected users to identify issues before broader deployment. Transitioning is crucial as Windows 10 approaches end-of-support, with Microsoft addressing numerous vulnerabilities in its updates.
TikTok returns to Apple and Google app stores in the US
AppWizard
February 14, 2025

TikTok returns to Apple and Google app stores in the US

TikTok, owned by ByteDance, was removed from Apple and Google’s app stores on January 18 due to a law requiring divestment or a ban in the U.S. The app, which has over 170 million users in the U.S., briefly suspended service, leading users to migrate to a competitor, RedNote. After nearly a month, TikTok returned to the app stores, coinciding with an executive order by former President Trump extending the enforcement of a potential ban until April 5. Concerns over TikTok's Chinese ownership and data privacy have persisted, with the company denying allegations of sharing user data. Trump initially supported a ban but later expressed a more favorable view of the app. He suggested the possibility of TikTok being jointly owned by American investors, with potential buyers including Frank McCourt, Kevin O’Leary, and Jimmy Donaldson (Mr. Beast).
Kakao scales down noncore affiliates to focus on messenger app, AI
AppWizard
August 19, 2024

Kakao scales down noncore affiliates to focus on messenger app, AI

Kakao has reduced its number of affiliates from 144 to 123 over the past year, divesting from noncore assets, including sectors like beauty reservations and golf rental services. The company has removed Wyatt, the operator of Kakao Hair Shop, from its affiliate roster after divesting a 38.9 percent stake in May. Kakao VX has also withdrawn from segments such as golf equipment, healthcare platforms, and non-fungible tokens to focus on the Kakao Friends Golf brand. Other divested affiliates include Awins, Beacon Holdings, and Xtriple. CEO Chung Shin-a stated that KakaoTalk and AI are the core drivers of future growth. The company faces regulatory scrutiny following the indictment of founder Kim Beom-su for stock manipulation and concerns regarding Kakao Pay leaking customer information to Alipay.
Thunderful has sold its distribution business
AppWizard
July 1, 2024

Thunderful has sold its distribution business

Thunderful has divested its distribution business to Bergsala NPD AB, owned by Thunderful board member Owe Bergsten. The transaction was completed on July 1st, allowing Thunderful to strengthen its financial position and focus on growth in the games segment.
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