European regulations Archives

AppWizard

January 28, 2026

The best private messaging apps of 2026: Expert tested

Threema is a Swiss messaging service founded in 2012, which now has over 12 million users and approximately 8,000 organizations globally. The platform's ownership has recently changed to Comitis Capital GmbH. Threema uses a unique approach to user identity by assigning a random eight-digit ID instead of requiring personal information like phone numbers or email addresses. Messages are stored locally and deleted from servers after delivery, enhancing privacy. It operates on a paid model with a one-time fee, supports anonymous payments, and employs high-grade cryptography for security. Users can send text and voice messages, share files up to 100 MB, and conduct end-to-end encrypted voice and video calls. Threema targets individuals and organizations prioritizing privacy and data protection, while it may not appeal to those seeking free apps or cloud-based chat history. Key features include end-to-end encryption, QR-based contact verification, and local group management capabilities.

AppWizard

December 20, 2025

X Launches Standalone Chat App on Desktop

X is developing a standalone messaging application called X Chat, with a desktop version already available for managing direct messages (DMs) more efficiently. A mobile app for X Chat is also in the works to compete with messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Messenger. Elon Musk's vision for X is inspired by China's WeChat, aiming to create an "everything app" that integrates messaging and various transactions. The project includes plans for payment functionalities to facilitate financial activities within the app, but X has not yet secured the necessary licenses for money transfers in the U.S. or the EU. There are concerns about user trust in Musk's leadership and the feasibility of successfully transforming X into a super app, leading to skepticism about the necessity of a separate messaging app.

Winsage

June 5, 2025

What changes are European regulations bringing to Windows?

Microsoft is implementing significant changes to its Windows operating systems in response to the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which took effect in March 2024. Starting in June 2025, Windows 10 and 11 users in the European Economic Area (EEA) will have the option to uninstall pre-installed applications, including the Windows Store. The process for setting third-party browsers, such as Chrome or Firefox, as the default will be simplified, moving away from the default Edge browser. Microsoft will also stop incentivizing users to switch to Edge by removing pop-up prompts. Additionally, users will be able to select alternative news feeds within taskbar widgets. These changes aim to enhance user control and promote competition within the Windows ecosystem.

AppWizard

March 21, 2025

Meta AI arrives in Europe (for real)

Meta AI, the generative AI digital assistant from Meta, has launched in Europe after a year and a half since its initial release. The rollout includes generative text capabilities across WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger in 41 European countries and 21 additional territories worldwide. European users will only interact with Meta AI as a text chatbot, lacking features for generating or editing images and the ability to interpret photographs, which are available in the U.S. Meta AI has not been trained with data from EU users. The launch followed nearly a year of collaboration with European regulators regarding security and privacy.