human rights Archives

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

Watch: Fetal development model created in Minecraft

Sara Leonard's video, "The Cubed Sphere," which models fetal development using Minecraft, won the top honor in the 3D visual art category of the 2024 "Create | Encounter" contest hosted by Rehumanize International. Rehumanize International is a nonprofit organization focused on promoting peace and human dignity. The "Create | Encounter" contest invites artists to engage with issues surrounding human dignity and encourages dialogue through creative works.

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

Vietnam orders ban on Telegram messaging app over security concerns

Vietnam's telecommunications providers have been instructed to block access to Telegram due to national security concerns and alleged non-compliance with local laws. The Ministry of Information and Communications claims that 70% of Telegram channels in Vietnam are linked to illicit activities, including fraud and drug trafficking. Officials allege that Telegram has failed to remove illegal content and provide user data for investigations. A spokesperson for Telegram stated that the company had responded to legal requests from Vietnam. Vietnam has a history of enforcing strict online content controls, previously threatening to block Facebook and discussing a ban on TikTok. Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, was arrested in France earlier this year over allegations related to cybercrime and expressed his commitment to improving the platform's security in light of its rapid user growth to 950 million.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

Brian Eno Criticizes Microsoft for Support of Israeli Military

Brian Eno has written an open letter to Microsoft titled “Not in My Name,” urging the company to stop providing artificial intelligence and cloud services to the Israeli military. He expresses concern that Microsoft's technological contributions could enable war crimes, stating that the company has acknowledged its support for Israel’s Ministry of Defense. Eno plans to donate his fee from the Windows 95 project to aid victims of the conflict in Gaza. He references a Microsoft blog post about the company's software and services being used by the Israeli government in ways condemned by legal scholars and human rights organizations. Eno emphasizes that selling advanced AI and cloud services to a government involved in systemic ethnic cleansing constitutes complicity and calls for a reevaluation of corporate ethics. He commends Microsoft employees who have spoken out against the company's actions and invites others to join his call for accountability.

Winsage

May 22, 2025

Windows 95 chime composer Brian Eno denounces Microsoft for its ties to Israeli government

Renowned musician Brian Eno announced he will donate the earnings from his Windows 95 startup chime to support those affected in Gaza. This decision follows scrutiny of Microsoft’s contracts with the Israeli government amid ongoing humanitarian crises. Eno criticized Microsoft for its involvement in operations contributing to violations of international law and called for the company to suspend services supporting such actions. Microsoft acknowledged its contracts with Israel’s Ministry of Defense but claimed an internal review found no evidence of its technologies targeting civilians in Gaza. Following the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, significant casualties have been reported in Gaza, with estimates of over 52,000 to as high as 109,000 deaths. Human rights organizations have accused Israel of war crimes. Protests by Microsoft employees have occurred, demanding accountability for the company's actions. Eno emphasized the need for artists and corporations to consider the implications of their contributions.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

‘Intrusion Detection’ might help Android 16 users catch suspicious phone activity

Google is set to introduce a security feature called "Intrusion Detection" in its upcoming Android 16, aimed at enhancing user security against threats. This feature, found in a beta version of the Google Play Services app, will log encrypted entries of essential device information to help users identify suspicious activity. "Intrusion Detection" is expected to be part of the Advanced Protection Program, which includes measures against malicious downloads and supports passkey sign-ins, moving away from traditional passwords. The feature's development has progressed, but it is unclear if it will launch with Android 16 or later. Android 16 Beta 4 was released to testers in mid-April, leading up to the anticipated full launch in May 2025.

Winsage

April 8, 2025

Microsoft fires engineers who protested during company’s 50th anniversary celebration

Two Microsoft software engineers, Ibtihal Aboussad and Vaniya Agrawal, were terminated after protesting the company's involvement with the Israeli military's use of its AI products during the company's 50th anniversary celebration. Aboussad was dismissed for "just cause, willful misconduct, disobedience or willful neglect of duty" after interrupting a speech by CEO Mustafa Suleyman, accusing Microsoft of complicity in violence and highlighting the human cost of its actions. Agrawal, who had intended to resign, also faced termination for expressing similar concerns during CEO Satya Nadella's speech. Microsoft responded by emphasizing its commitment to high business standards and the importance of addressing concerns through appropriate channels.

AppWizard

March 26, 2025

What is Signal? 5 things to know about the app used in Trump administration war plans leak

Sensitive military strategies regarding Iranian-backed militants in Yemen were inadvertently disclosed to journalist Jeffrey Goldberg when he was included in a group chat on Signal with Trump administration officials, including Mike Waltz, Pete Hegseth, JD Vance, Marco Rubio, and Tulsi Gabbard. The White House National Security Council confirmed the authenticity of the chat. Hegseth stated that “Nobody was texting war plans.” President Trump expressed discontent with The Atlantic regarding the incident. The situation has prompted calls for accountability from Democratic lawmakers. Moxie Marlinspike, co-founder of Signal's parent company, highlighted the app's unexpected role in military coordination. Signal is a free, open-source messaging application with end-to-end encryption that accommodates up to 40 participants and supports various media formats. Originally developed by Whisper Systems, it emerged from two separate applications: RedPhone and TextSecure. Signal is popular among activists, politicians, and journalists for secure communication, but its use for government communications may violate the Presidential Records Act and the Federal Records Act, which require that official communications be preserved. Messages in the military strategy chat were set to disappear after a week, raising questions about record-keeping compliance.

AppWizard

November 19, 2024

NSO Group used WhatsApp exploits after the messaging app sued the spyware developer, court filing says

WhatsApp and its parent company Meta have filed a lawsuit against NSO Group in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, seeking summary judgment and damages for the alleged misuse of WhatsApp's platform. The filing reveals that NSO Group exploited vulnerabilities in WhatsApp through methods named "Eden," "Erised," and "Heaven." NSO has acknowledged that "Eden" was responsible for approximately 1,400 attacks. The court documents suggest NSO Group has a more active role in the operation of its spyware than previously claimed, with minimal involvement from its customers. NSO Group's vice president stated that the company does not access intelligence gathered by its software and expressed confidence that the claims would be disproven in court. The lawsuit aims to hold spyware companies accountable for their actions, particularly regarding the targeting of vulnerable individuals such as journalists and human rights activists.

AppWizard

November 17, 2024

Inside futuristic Minecraft stadium built on a cliff set to host 2034 World Cup

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Stadium will be built near Riyadh, with a capacity of 45,000 seats and a cost exceeding £1 billion. Construction is set to begin in 2026, with completion anticipated in 2029. The stadium will feature a retractable pitch, a man-made lake for cooling, a massive LED wall, and three stands, with one side open to view Qiddiya city. It will incorporate climate control through rainwater collection and will have the capability to switch between grass and artificial turf. The venue is expected to host matches for Al-Nassr and is part of Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2034 World Cup, with FIFA expected to confirm this on December 11. The stadium will be one of 11 new venues for the World Cup, alongside four existing stadiums.

AppWizard

October 11, 2024

Report shows how messaging apps are used to spread propaganda

A study conducted by researchers from New York University (NYU) surveyed 4,500 users across nine countries and interviewed political strategists from 17 nations to examine the use of messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram in political discourse. The findings revealed that 62% of respondents received political content via these apps, with 55% of that content coming from unknown sources due to insufficient content moderation. Political operatives exploit paid features on these platforms to increase their reach, with WhatsApp’s Business Platform offering tools that enhance visibility despite prohibitions against political use. Viber and Telegram also provide similar functionalities, allowing for the circumvention of rules and verification processes. The report highlights tactics such as infiltrating social media groups, using fake accounts, and cross-posting content across platforms, contributing to the spread of disinformation. Recommendations for messaging app developers include stricter account limits and better vetting of business accounts, while policymakers are urged to regulate encrypted messaging platforms to combat disinformation.