government Archives

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

Australian Government Demands to Know What Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Steam are Doing to Prevent Grooming, Radicalisation

The Australian Government's eSafety office has requested major gaming platforms, including Roblox, Microsoft, Epic, and Valve, to provide details on their measures to prevent child grooming and extremist content. The eSafety office has issued legally enforceable transparency notices due to concerns that platforms like Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Steam may be exploited by predators and extremist groups. Approximately 90% of children aged 8 to 17 in Australia engage with online games, highlighting the need for protective measures. Reports indicate that these platforms have been associated with grooming incidents and extremist themes, including games inspired by the Islamic State and depictions of mass shootings. Non-compliance with the transparency notice could result in penalties of AUD5,000 per day. In response, Roblox has committed to safety initiatives, including AI technology to review content and plans for age-based accounts to enhance user safety.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

eSafety Commissioner of Australia issues notices to Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite and Steam

Australia's eSafety Commissioner has issued legally enforceable transparency notices to online gaming platforms such as Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Steam due to concerns about grooming, sexual extortion, and youth radicalisation. The notices require these platforms to clarify their strategies for identifying, preventing, and responding to online harms, including grooming, cyberbullying, and violent extremism, while aligning with the Australian Government’s Basic Online Safety Expectations. Non-compliance can result in fines of up to A million per incident and daily penalties of up to A,000.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

Steam, Minecraft, Roblox and Fortnite risk “becoming onramps to abuse, extremist violence, radicalisation or lifelong harm”, claim Australian government

The Australian government's eSafety commissioner has issued transparency notices to major gaming platforms, including Valve, Epic Games, Microsoft, and the Roblox Corporation, to understand their measures for safeguarding children online. Concerns have been raised about predatory adults targeting children through grooming and extremist narratives in games. Specific instances include Islamic State-inspired games on Roblox, far-right groups using Minecraft for fascist imagery, Fortnite gamifying tragic historical events, and Steam serving as a hub for extreme-right communities. The government is urging these companies to take meaningful steps to prevent abuse and radicalization. Some measures have already been implemented, such as Roblox restricting access to social hangouts and unrated games for users under 13 and introducing selfie-based facial age estimation technology. The companies are expected to provide detailed accounts of their existing and planned measures to combat grooming and extremism.

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

Europe is abandoning WhatsApp and Signal: Why governments are introducing their own messaging apps

European officials are transitioning from messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Signal to state-controlled applications to reduce reliance on US technologies. Six nations—France, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium—are implementing secure messaging systems for sensitive communications. NATO has its own solution, and the European Commission plans to finalize its transition by year-end. This shift is driven by cybersecurity threats, particularly targeting politicians through popular apps, prompting advice to deactivate Signal groups to prevent data leaks. Belgium has developed the BEAM app, controlled by the state, for official use, offering features like end-to-end encryption and participant management. The localization trend is influenced by geopolitical dynamics and past incidents highlighting Europe’s dependence on foreign technology. Additionally, transparency issues have emerged, as reliance on private messaging services has obscured communications related to significant contracts, such as vaccine agreements.

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

NGate NFC malware targets Android users through trojanized payment app

NFC-based payment fraud targeting Android users in Brazil has been linked to a campaign using a trojanized version of the HandyPay app, part of the NGate malware family, since November 2025. The malware is distributed through a counterfeit website mimicking a lottery and a fraudulent Google Play page. The operators chose HandyPay for its low cost and minimal permissions required. The malware requests users to set it as the default NFC payment app, allowing it to capture payment card PINs and relay NFC card data to attackers. ESET Research identified this campaign and discovered logs from compromised devices containing sensitive information. The trojanized app has never been on the official Google Play store, and ESET has notified Google and the HandyPay developer about the issue.

AppWizard

April 19, 2026

Government has carried out no modelling on under-16 social media ban impacts

Campaigners are urging caution regarding a proposed ban on social media for individuals under 16, as the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has not conducted any internal modeling or analysis to assess the potential impacts of such a ban. The DSIT acknowledged that "clear, agreed evidence does not currently exist" in response to a Freedom of Information request. In legislative discussions, MPs rejected immediate restrictions on social media for minors, while Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the need for action without guaranteeing prompt implementation. The government is piloting measures such as app bans, time restrictions, and overnight curfews with approximately 300 teenagers involved in a trial. Research led by Professor Amy Orben indicates gaps in understanding the relationship between children's mental health and digital technology use, highlighting the need for high-quality studies. The DSIT confirmed it has internal research on the subject but is withholding it to avoid misinterpretation. Burrows advocates for stronger regulation targeting online harm instead of outright bans, suggesting bans may not effectively address safety concerns. A DSIT spokesperson reiterated the commitment to building a strong evidence base and seeking public input before making decisions.

Winsage

April 18, 2026

France has ditched Windows 11 for Linux on 2.5 million government PCs — here’s why Microsoft should worry that millions more could follow by the end of 2026

Dissatisfaction with Windows 11 is widespread, prompting the French government to transition from Windows to Linux for its computer systems, aiming for 'digital sovereignty.' French officials, including Minister David Amiel, emphasize the need to reduce reliance on American tools and regain control over digital infrastructure. The transition is mandated to be completed by fall 2026, with GendBuntu, a variant of Ubuntu, likely being adopted. Over 100,000 PCs currently run GendBuntu, and an additional 2.5 million government workstations will migrate from Windows. Other regions, such as Schleswig-Holstein in Germany and Denmark, are also moving away from Windows. Users have reported issues with Windows 11, leading to a backlash and prompting Microsoft to promise fixes. However, the effectiveness of these improvements remains uncertain, and if unresolved, users may increasingly consider alternatives like Linux or macOS. Microsoft has revamped its Windows Insider program to gather user feedback but lacks clarity on internal quality assurance improvements. The company's ability to regain user trust hinges on addressing ongoing concerns effectively.

Winsage

April 17, 2026

France to remove Windows from government computers in sovereignty push

France is transitioning from Windows to Linux for its government computers, announced on April 8 by the Interministerial Directorate for Digital Affairs, to reduce reliance on American technology firms. This change involves modifying the software on thousands of state computers, which is a significant task given that Windows is the most widely used operating system globally. Linux, an open-source system, allows for code modification and sharing. Experts highlight the benefits of open-source software, including transparency and collective ownership, which enhance data security and management. Other European countries, like Spain and Germany, have also adopted similar systems. The transition is expected to create jobs in the local economy as France will invest in hiring engineers instead of paying Microsoft licensing fees. However, the timeline for the rollout is uncertain, with no specifics on the number of computers involved or the duration of the project. Additionally, Microsoft has reportedly spent €7 million in 2025 on lobbying efforts related to digital regulations in the EU, which may complicate the transition.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

India drops proposal to mandate national biometric ID app on iPhones and Android phones

The Indian government has decided to abandon a proposal that would have required the pre-installation of the Aadhaar biometric ID app on smartphones from major manufacturers like Apple and Samsung. This decision was announced by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) after significant pushback from the tech industry. Concerns raised by manufacturers included device security, compatibility issues, and increased production costs due to the need for separate manufacturing lines for the Indian market. The Ministry of Information Technology expressed reluctance to enforce the requirement, and UIDAI confirmed that the government is not in favor of mandating the app's pre-installation.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

European civil servants are being forced off WhatsApp

Apps like Signal and WhatsApp are recognized for their end-to-end encryption but are increasingly seen as inadequate for organizational communication due to their consumer-grade design. Benjamin Schilz, CEO of Wire, points out the risks of using such apps for professional purposes. Recent cybersecurity threats, including a Russian espionage campaign targeting these applications, highlight the importance of advanced features like access controls and metadata management, especially for large organizations. Belgium's De Waele advocates for controlled communication environments that include only government employees to mitigate risks. Transparency advocates have raised concerns about the privacy features of consumer apps obscuring important decision-making processes, as exemplified by a situation involving Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and a vaccine deal. The re-election of former U.S. President Donald Trump has prompted a shift in priorities towards secure communication channels within European governments.