investigation Archives

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Marvel Tōkon PC Patch Traces Stuttering to Audio Device Checks Inside Game Loop

Arc System Works identified two critical audio-system bugs that caused frame rates to drop below 60 FPS on high-end PCs for Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, which launched on August 6. A patch of approximately 10 GB was released on August 10, improving the game's Steam approval rating from around 39% to approximately 46% by August 11. The PC version faced severe stuttering and input lag, leading to negative reviews, while the PS5 version received acclaim. The patch addressed three main issues: a CPU-heavy startup routine, an unnecessary audio-processing task during matches, and a polling loop for audio input devices. Players were advised to accept a shader warm-up prompt on first launch to ensure optimal performance. Despite the improvements, issues like the PSN account requirement and Linux compatibility remain unresolved.

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

EXCLUSIVE: Messaging apps alleged coup conspirators used for communication

The choice of communication methods, such as WhatsApp and Zangi, influenced the outcome of a clandestine operation related to an alleged coup against President Bola Tinubu's government. Retired navy captain Erasmus Victor, facing treason charges, mentioned being recruited to find financial backers for the coup by Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, who introduced him to Zangi for its security features. Zangi claims it does not store communication histories and uses end-to-end encryption, but investigators may still access data on users' devices. The investigation includes evidence from devices rather than relying solely on messaging companies. Mr. Victor and his co-defendants have denied wrongdoing and are challenging the admissibility of their statements in court.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

Arc System Launches Marvel Tokon PC Update, and Some Players Are Saying It’s Fixing Most of Their Issues

Developer Arc System Works has released a significant update for Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, addressing technical issues that affected its launch on PC and PlayStation 5. Players reported stuttering and performance problems during the first weekend, leading to negative reviews. The update has resolved several critical issues, including sudden performance drops, frame rate inconsistencies, and reduced CPU usage. Feedback from players post-update has been largely positive, with many noting improvements in performance. However, some players still experience lingering issues, such as enforced PSN connection and lack of Linux support. The update is part of Arc System Works' commitment to enhance performance and stability, with further refinements planned. The game is currently available on PC and PS5.

Winsage

August 10, 2026

Windows 11’s built-in weather app hogs more than 1.2 gigabytes of RAM just to tell the forecast — memory-sucking web wrapper filled with ads masquerades as an actual application

Microsoft is addressing issues related to user dissatisfaction with its Windows operating system, which has faced criticism for lack of optimization, excessive bloat, and intrusive advertisements. The built-in weather application, MSN Weather, exemplifies these problems, consuming up to 1.2GB of RAM while idling and displaying ads despite being part of a paid OS. In contrast, Apple's macOS weather app uses about 250MB of memory and operates ad-free. MSN Weather functions as a web wrapper, utilizing eight Chromium-based subprocesses, which raises concerns about its efficiency. Microsoft plans to update all native Windows applications to the Win32 standard for better optimization, but it is unclear if this will also apply to MSN-branded services like MSN Weather. Users have shown a preference for mobile devices over the weather widget introduced in Windows 11.

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

Android apps could be leaking your precise location

Third-party advertising tools embedded in Android applications are automatically collecting location data, often without the app developers' awareness. Software development kits (SDKs) used for advertising come with location data collection enabled by default, unless developers actively disable this feature. Historical location data has been sold to military and intelligence agencies, including the FBI, and used in immigration enforcement actions in the US. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) reported that app-level location permissions do not provide meaningful consent for location collection by third-party advertising SDKs. The EFF identified four advertising SDKs—InMobi, BidMachine, Verve's HyBid, and Huawei's Petal Ads—that collect and share location data by default. Two analyzed apps had been downloaded 60 million times without providing a privacy notice or seeking user consent for third-party location sharing. Users can manage location permissions through their device settings, but the EFF emphasizes that developers should ensure user data is not shared by default.

Winsage

August 9, 2026

Dell is blaming Microsoft’s Windows 11 updates for a bug that broke 245+ PC models, but it’s all good now

Recent updates to Windows 11 have caused issues for users of Dell PCs, resulting in shutdowns, performance degradation, and overheating. Dell has released a list of approximately 245 affected models, including Alienware systems. Microsoft deployed an out-of-band update (KB5121767) to address these issues, which stemmed from an incompatibility between the Intel Innovation Platform Framework Processor Participant driver and the Windows USB-C Connection Manager. Affected devices could experience significant performance setbacks, unexpected shutdowns, increased heat output, and battery drain. Users are advised to install specific builds to avoid these problems, as rolling back the update is not an option. Microsoft is also working on improving driver quality through a new Driver Quality Initiative.

AppWizard

August 8, 2026

Ambrosia Sky: Act Two Launches on PC, Split Critics Praise Story Over Systems

Toronto's indie game studio, Soft Rains, has released Ambrosia Sky: Act Two on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. The game has received mixed reviews, with two-thirds praising it as an emotional journey, while one review questions its gameplay and the "immersive sim" label. Owners of Act One receive Act Two for free, while new players can purchase the full game for .99 USD, with a 20% discount available until around August 14, after which the price will increase to .99 USD. Ambrosia Sky is a first-person game where players control Dalia, a field scientist returning to her home colony after a fungal outbreak. Players use an upgradeable chemical sprayer to cleanse space stations and uncover a conspiracy. Act Two focuses on Dalia's search for her ex-girlfriend Maeve and introduces new locations, exo-fungus species, a revamped progression system, and new equipment. The Corruptor fungus adds a new mechanic that has received mixed reviews. The total playtime for both acts is approximately six to seven hours. Critics debate the game's classification as an immersive sim, with some arguing it lacks the open-ended environments typical of the genre. The narrative has been positively received, with praise for its emotional depth and storytelling. The full game is priced competitively for narrative-driven indie games, and the current pricing offers good value for players interested in the story and atmosphere. As of now, Ambrosia Sky has received two critic reviews on Metacritic, scoring 80 and 60.

Winsage

August 7, 2026

This ‘classic’ decades-old SQL injection flaw could let hackers take over entire Windows servers, thanks to a nifty database trick

Security researchers from Huntress discovered a sophisticated SQL Injection (SQLi) attack that led to the deployment of a rare toolkit called Khunt. The attackers exploited a public-facing application backed by an Oracle database by failing to validate user input, allowing malicious SQL commands to be executed. The Khunt toolkit enabled activities such as executing operating system commands, stealing credentials, and exfiltrating registry hive data. Experts recommend robust defense mechanisms, including input sanitation, regular security audits, and the implementation of web application firewalls to protect against such attacks.

AppWizard

August 6, 2026

Android Apps Share Location Data With Advertisers by Default

A recent investigation by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) revealed that many Android applications contain third-party code that automatically transmits users' precise location data to external companies, including advertisers and data brokers, once location permission is granted. There are no specific location permissions for Software Development Kits (SDKs) on Android, meaning that granting one app access allows all bundled components to access the same data. Developers may be unaware that their apps are configured to share location histories with external firms, as advertising SDKs often prioritize data collection for revenue generation. The EFF calls for advertising SDKs to stop making personal data sharing the default setting and urges developers to disable unnecessary data collection. Location data can reach data brokers, which may experience breaches, compromising user privacy and security. This situation poses hidden risks for investors in the mobile advertising sector, as legal challenges and reputational damage may arise from regulatory scrutiny of location data practices. The EFF emphasizes that app-level permissions do not provide meaningful consent for third-party data sharing, highlighting the value and risks associated with location data.

AppWizard

August 5, 2026

Developers: Beware of Ad Libraries that Betray Your Users’ Location

Advertising companies provide software development kits (SDKs) for mobile app monetization, which often automatically transmit users' location data to ad systems and location data brokers, raising privacy concerns. Many developers and users may be unaware of this data sharing. When developers allow SDKs to collect location data, it poses risks beyond targeted ads, including potential misuse by agencies like ICE and global surveillance. Location data brokers harvest precise movements of individuals, often without their consent, through mobile applications. Some apps directly collaborate with data brokers, while others leak data through advertising SDKs during real-time bidding (RTB) auctions. An incident in 2025 revealed that many apps unknowingly contributed to a location data broker's database. Developers must understand their SDKs' location-sharing practices to mitigate risks. Advertising SDKs can collect location data automatically once users grant permission, without specific permissions for the SDKs themselves. Precise location data can be collected when apps have location permissions, leading to potential privacy violations. Several SDKs have been identified as collecting location data by default, increasing the risk of unintentional data leaks. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) found that four advertising SDKs collect users' location data by default when location permissions are granted. InMobi encourages location sharing for higher revenue, while BidMachine updated its documentation after EFF's inquiry, confirming precise location data collection. Verve's SDK also collects location data by default but presents a cautious narrative in its Play Store guidance. Huawei's SDK recommends obtaining location permissions to enhance revenue, with default location sharing occurring if permissions are granted. Location data can be shared without users' knowledge or meaningful consent, complicating informed consent issues. The focus on four SDKs does not imply that others adequately protect location data, as many have faced criticism for similar practices. Studies indicate that SDKs often encourage increased data collection through design and documentation, leading to minimal control for developers over data transmission. The EFF's analysis highlights that advertising SDKs incentivize location data sharing through default settings and unclear documentation. Developers should assess third-party SDKs and disable unnecessary data collection. Regulators must hold developers accountable for unlawful data sharing, while legislators should enact laws to protect location privacy and address online behavioral advertising, which drives data tracking.