internet monitoring Archives

AppWizard

March 16, 2026

Moscow University Students Pressured to Use State App Max to Receive Diplomas

Students at the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics of the Moscow Pedagogical State University (MPGU) have raised concerns about a directive to register for the state-run messaging application, Max, warning that non-compliance could jeopardize their access to diplomas via the government portal, Gosuslugi. The university is transitioning all academic communication and administrative processes to Max, with messages from the dean's office emphasizing the necessity of registration. An order from the Russian Ministry of Education instructs university officials to discuss the implementation of Max with students. MPGU representatives confirmed that the introduction of Max aims to enhance the university's information environment. Additionally, the state messenger's adoption affects Russian military personnel, who are resisting orders to install Max, which has led to discontent among soldiers and officers. Concerns about digital surveillance have also intensified, with many military personnel seeking to avoid using Max, viewed as a surveillance tool. The Russian government plans to enhance internet monitoring and censorship, with a new system set to be introduced in 2026, backed by a budget of 2.27 billion rubles.

AppWizard

February 12, 2026

Moscow moves to throttle Telegram as Kremlin pushes its own messaging app

Russia's communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, has throttled Telegram's service, affecting nearly 90 million local users, due to the platform's non-compliance with Russian law. A Moscow court has initiated seven legal cases against Telegram in 2026 for not removing content related to "extremist" activities and pornography, potentially resulting in fines exceeding ,000. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that restrictions will continue as long as Telegram violates regulations. Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, criticized the actions as authoritarian and compared them to Iran's previous ban on the platform. Telegram previously faced a ban in 2018 for refusing to provide encryption keys to the FSB, but the ban was lifted in 2020. Russian officials are promoting a national messaging service called Max, developed by the creator of VKontakte. The restrictions have drawn criticism from state officials and military personnel, particularly in conflict-prone regions, where Telegram is essential for timely news and emergency updates. Pro-war military bloggers have also expressed dissatisfaction with the restrictions, noting Telegram's role in military logistics and communications. The Telegram restrictions are part of a broader trend of internet disruptions in Russia, including mobile internet access cuts and the inaccessibility of major Western platforms without VPNs.

AppWizard

January 19, 2026

Internet restored in Uganda but social media and messaging apps still restricted

Uganda has restored its internet services after four days of enforced silence, though social media and messaging applications remain restricted. Connectivity resumed on Sunday, but limited access to several platforms persists, as reported by NetBlocks. Proton VPN experienced an 8,000% increase in signups from Uganda within one hour of the initial restrictions. The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) allows the use of VPNs for accessing blocked platforms but warns against their misuse for illegal activities, indicating potential legal repercussions. The UCC had mandated internet service providers to halt access before a presidential election to prevent misinformation and safeguard national security. This is not the first internet blackout in Uganda, as similar measures were taken during the 2021 elections.

AppWizard

October 9, 2025

Public Safety employee charged with child porn possession found through messaging app

Stephen E. Walker, a former member of the Bloomington Board of Public Safety, was arrested on October 2 for possession of child pornography following an investigation by the FBI that began in February. Walker, 34, previously worked for the Indiana Department of Correction for nearly nine years. The investigation stemmed from another suspect, identified as “BW,” who was arrested for distributing child pornography and revealed that he had shared explicit images of his 13-year-old stepdaughter with Walker via Kik Messenger. Between February 10 and 14, Walker received approximately 33 media files from BW, including five images classified as child sexual abuse material. Law enforcement traced Walker's Kik account and conducted a search of his residence and vehicle, seizing electronic devices for examination. Walker admitted to owning the Kik account and is currently under monitored conditional release with internet monitoring. His pretrial conference is set for November 11, 2025.

Winsage

October 31, 2024

Free PC Manager app for Windows 10 and 11 just got even better

Microsoft has launched version 3.14 of its PC Manager, a free utility for Windows 10 and Windows 11, featuring real-time internet speed monitoring from the taskbar, improved storage management to efficiently eliminate unnecessary files, and integration with Windows 11 Widgets for easier access to its features. The tool has received positive feedback for its user-friendly interface and maintenance capabilities.