geopolitical tensions Archives

Winsage

June 27, 2025

This city is dumping Microsoft Office and Windows for OnlyOffice and Linux

Lyon, the third-largest city in France, is transitioning from Microsoft’s Windows and Office suite to open-source alternatives such as Linux, OnlyOffice, NextCloud, and PostgreSQL. This move is part of a broader strategy among European governments to enhance digital sovereignty and reduce reliance on American technology firms due to concerns over data security and autonomy. The city is developing a collaborative suite called Territoire Numérique Ouvert in partnership with regional digital organizations, which will be hosted in local data centers. The migration process is already underway, with municipal workstations moving from Windows to Linux and Microsoft Office being replaced by OnlyOffice. Lyon expects direct cost savings from this migration, including extending the lifespan of municipal hardware and reducing electronic waste. Over 50% of public contracts related to this project have been awarded to firms within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, all to French companies. Training for approximately 10,000 civil servants began in June 2025 as part of the transition to Linux.

AppWizard

June 24, 2025

Putin authorises creation of state messaging app to combat WhatsApp and Telegram

Russian President Vladimir Putin has endorsed the development of a state-sponsored messaging application aimed at integrating government services and reducing reliance on foreign platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. This initiative is part of Russia's broader tech policy focused on digital sovereignty, especially in response to geopolitical tensions since February 2022. Russian lawmakers believe the new app will offer superior features compared to existing platforms, but there are concerns about privacy and government oversight. Mikhail Klimarev, director of the Internet Protection Society, has expressed worries that the government may intentionally slow down WhatsApp and Telegram to encourage users to switch to the new app.

AppWizard

June 22, 2025

Jack Black riles up fanbase at Kids’ Choice Awards after viral Minecraft moment

Jack Black was honored with the King of Comedy award at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards for his contributions to comedy, including roles in Nacho Libre, Kung Fu Panda, and A Minecraft Movie. He also won the title of Favorite Movie Actor for his role in A Minecraft Movie. During his acceptance speech, he expressed gratitude to his fans and referenced his character Dewey Finn from School of Rock and his portrayal of Bowser in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. A notable moment of the evening included Black referencing a viral scene from A Minecraft Movie involving the phrase "chicken jockey." The Kids' Choice Awards featured nominees like Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, and Kendrick Lamar, with Jack Black, Dwayne Johnson, and Jelly Roll receiving three nominations each. Winners received Nickelodeon’s orange Blimp trophy and many attendees were covered in green slime.

AppWizard

June 10, 2025

How Russian Spies Are Analyzing Data From China’s WeChat App

Moscow's skepticism towards foreign messaging applications has intensified, particularly regarding the Chinese app WeChat, which has weak encryption protocols. Russian counterintelligence is analyzing WeChat data to identify individuals in contact with Chinese operatives. A recent intelligence document reveals concerns about China's influence in Russia, particularly as Russia's isolation from the West grows due to geopolitical tensions. The F.S.B. is using an analytical tool called "Skopishche" to enhance surveillance, aggregating data from sources like WeChat, including account logins, contact lists, and message archives. This data is often collected from mobile devices seized from significant individuals. The shared focus on surveillance by Russian and Chinese authorities highlights their concerns about external influences and internal dissent.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

Russian government seizes Lesta Studio assets

The Russian government has taken control of Lesta Studio's assets, which manages Wargaming's interests in Russia, due to allegations of extremist activities involving Wargaming's CEO, Victor Kislyi, and Lesta Studio's head, Malik Khatazhaev. Wargaming exited the Russian and Belarusian markets in April 2022, divesting its local assets to Lesta Studio at zero cost and on a debt-free basis, and currently holds no assets or business interests in those countries.

Winsage

March 20, 2025

China, Russia, North Korea Hackers Exploit Windows Security Flaw

Almost a dozen state-sponsored threat groups from nations including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are exploiting a security vulnerability in Microsoft Windows, identified as ZDI-CAN-25373, to conduct espionage and gather sensitive information. This vulnerability affects how Windows handles .lnk files, allowing attackers to execute hidden malicious commands. Since 2017, these groups have targeted government, military, and critical infrastructure organizations globally, with 11 state-sponsored groups identified, primarily focusing on espionage (70%) and financial motives (20%). North Korea accounts for 45.5% of the exploitation, with Iran and Russia at 18.2% each, and China at 18.1%. The United States has experienced the most attacks (343 incidents), followed by Canada (39), Russia (25), and South Korea (23). Despite being notified, Microsoft does not plan to issue a patch for this vulnerability, categorizing it as "low severity."

AppWizard

February 28, 2025

Russian hackers find ways to snoop on Ukrainian Signal accounts

Hackers are employing deceptive tactics to compromise the security of Ukrainian users by enticing them to scan malicious QR codes, allowing hackers to intercept messages in real time. Recent findings from Google have identified Russia-linked groups, UNC4221 and UNC5792, disseminating altered Signal "group invite" links targeting Ukrainian military personnel. Signal, known for its end-to-end encryption, has not shown vulnerabilities in its encryption protocol, but its "linked devices" functionality is being exploited to bypass security measures. In response, Signal's senior technologist announced an overhaul of the user interface, additional authentication steps, and notifications for new linked devices to enhance user protection against social engineering attacks.

AppWizard

August 26, 2024

Founder of Telegram messaging app Pavel Durov arrested in France, sources say | CBC News

Pavel Durov, the founder of the Telegram messaging app, was taken into custody at Le Bourget airport near Paris due to an existing arrest warrant in France. His arrest has led to significant reactions, including a warning from Moscow and criticism from Elon Musk regarding free speech in Europe. Telegram stated it complies with EU regulations and defended Durov, asserting he has nothing to hide. The investigation into Durov relates to allegations that Telegram facilitated crimes due to insufficient moderation. Durov, with an estimated net worth of .5 billion, has aimed for Telegram to remain a neutral platform, particularly during geopolitical tensions. Following his arrest, Russia's Foreign Affairs Ministry demanded access to him, citing his French citizenship. The platform faces increasing scrutiny from European nations over security and data privacy issues.

AppWizard

August 10, 2024

Russia blocks access to Signal messaging app across the country

Russia's state communications authority, Roskomnadzor, has blocked access to the Signal messaging app due to alleged non-compliance with anti-terrorism regulations. Reports indicate that users began experiencing access issues on August 8, with Roskomnadzor stating that the blockade aims to prevent the use of the app for terrorist and extremist purposes. Speculation suggests the disruptions may be related to military actions by Ukraine, as Ukrainian Armed Forces are believed to use Signal for communication. Additionally, there have been reports of YouTube outages in Russia, with users experiencing service interruptions. An anonymous source claims the government has been throttling YouTube since July to shift blame onto Google, while the Kremlin attributes the issues to outdated equipment. YouTube remains a crucial platform for free expression in Russia, utilized by opposition figures and independent media.

AppWizard

August 9, 2024

Moonly app exposed location of 6M users; potential Russian ties

The Moonly astrology application, with around 6 million users, experienced a data breach that exposed sensitive user information, including addresses, email addresses, birth dates, GPS locations, and employee credentials. A publicly accessible database linked to Cosmic Vibrations Inc. was discovered, containing data from a backup dated April 19, 2024. The breach raised security concerns, particularly due to the leaked GPS locations and the potential for hacking attempts given the exposure of birth dates and email addresses. While employee passwords were hashed, some were cracked, increasing the risk of unauthorized access to the database. Additionally, evidence suggests that Moonly's management may be based in Russia, with employee logins traced to the Russian Federation, Belarus, and Indonesia, raising concerns about the company's operations and potential circumvention of US sanctions. Moonly has not publicly addressed these issues.