investigations Archives

AppWizard

March 30, 2026

Remember when Mastercard pressured Steam to remove a bunch of NSFW games? The FTC says that’s not cool—sort of

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has addressed concerns to the CEOs of major financial service companies, including Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, and Stripe, regarding the potential denial of services to customers based on political or religious beliefs. The letters warn that such practices could lead to investigations and enforcement actions. This initiative follows an incident involving Valve, where Mastercard was alleged to have pressured the company into removing adult-themed games from its Steam platform, although Mastercard clarified it did not directly influence the removals. FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson emphasized the importance of ensuring all law-abiding individuals can engage in commerce. The situation is further complicated by an executive order from former President Donald Trump, which raised concerns about financial institutions surveilling individuals involved in conservative activities. Ferguson urged Mastercard's CEO to prevent unlawful debanking practices by its network members. There is uncertainty regarding a proposed rule change that may not significantly alter the discretion financial institutions have in customer-related decisions. Inquiries have been made to Valve and the FTC about the implications of these letters for adult video games on the Steam platform.

AppWizard

March 30, 2026

Solasta 2 has an impossible act to follow, but I’m hooked on its D&D roadtrip vibes

Solasta 2 is an Early Access sequel developed by Tactical Adventures, designed to be faithful to the tabletop D&D experience. The game emphasizes mechanics over narrative, featuring a hex-grid map and a party of four adopted siblings. Players engage in exploration and combat, with a variety of environmental factors influencing decisions. The combat system allows for both ranged and melee attacks, and events often require ability checks or dice rolls. Character creation is limited to four ancestries and six classes, with some animation issues present. The early hours of the game feel somewhat linear, with limited choices, but a roadmap for future updates is in place. Estimated playtime for Act One is 10-15 hours, though players may exceed this as they explore.

AppWizard

March 29, 2026

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 translator says he was ‘fired from Warhorse Studios and replaced with AI’

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 won PC Gamer's Game of the Year award and is currently involved in a controversy regarding the use of artificial intelligence in its development. Game director Daniel Vávra supported DLSS 5 technology on social media. A user named ThousandDemons claimed to have been a translator for KCD2 and stated he was replaced by AI. Investigations suggest ThousandDemons is Max Hejtmánek, a developer credited as "English Editor" on KCD2, who recently left Warhorse Studios. He detailed his contributions to the game and expressed opposition to AI translations, feeling betrayed by management after being informed his role would become "obsolete." He does not seek his job back but wants to share his experience. He also urged fans not to harass Warhorse staff.

AppWizard

March 27, 2026

Guardian source messaging tech bringing in ‘much higher quality’ of tips

The Guardian's secure messaging technology, launched in June, has significantly improved the quality of tips from sources, utilizing advanced encryption techniques to ensure confidentiality. The app allows messages to vanish after 14 days and is designed to protect sources' anonymity better than many other encrypted services. It has been recognized as a finalist for a major award and has led to a notable increase in story tips, particularly from the U.S. and Australia, despite its primary user base being in the UK and Europe. The app operates independently of The Guardian's paywall, enabling non-paying users to submit tips freely. The platform encourages contributions from users who may have felt intimidated by other secure methods. The technology enhances communication quality and allows sources to provide context to existing stories. As of September, the app has one million daily active users, with features that obscure genuine communications among automated messages, contributing to source protection. The Guardian has invested in guiding sources on crafting effective tips and has made the secure messaging technology open source for other newsrooms to adopt, aiming to improve source protection across the industry. Collaborations with organizations like The Signals Network and the University of Cambridge are ongoing to gather feedback and enhance the technology further.

Winsage

March 24, 2026

Microsoft says, for once, Windows update isn’t to blame for Galaxy Book4 laptops losing access to C: drive — the Galaxy Connect app was the culprit, and it’s been taken down from Microsoft Store

In early February, users of Samsung's Galaxy Book4 laptops reported storage issues, specifically error messages stating, "C: is not accessible," which locked them out of their primary drive. Investigations by Microsoft and Samsung identified the Galaxy Connect app, preinstalled on these devices, as the cause of the problem due to its interaction with Windows that revoked permissions. Reports of the issue surfaced before the February 2026 security update for Windows 11, which was initially suspected to be the trigger. Microsoft acknowledged the problem on its website about ten days prior to March 16, when it was marked as "externally resolved." To help affected users, Microsoft provided a recovery article and both companies removed the Galaxy Connect app from their stores, replacing it with an older version. Only users who experienced the issue need to take action to restore their systems.

AppWizard

March 23, 2026

Russian hackers hijack thousands of ‘high intelligence’ messaging app accounts, FBI warns

Hackers linked to Russian intelligence are targeting high-profile users of popular messaging applications, according to a warning from the FBI and CISA. The primary targets include U.S. government officials, military personnel, political figures, and journalists. The attackers compromise accounts to access messages and contact lists, allowing for further phishing attempts. Signal users are particularly at risk, though techniques can extend to WhatsApp and Telegram. The hackers use social engineering tactics, impersonating official support accounts to trick users into revealing sensitive information. The FBI and CISA advise users to be cautious of unexpected messages and suspicious links. Victims are encouraged to report incidents to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

BetaBeacon

March 20, 2026

‘Urban Myth Dissolution Center’ Launches on Mobile: Paranormal Mystery Game Now on iOS, Android

"Urban Myth Dissolution Center" is a game where players assume the role of rookie investigator Azami Fukurai in a private institution dedicated to studying and dissolving cursed relics, monstrous anomalies, and digital-age urban legends. The game features a psychedelic pixel art style and is available on multiple platforms including mobile, PC, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.

Winsage

February 15, 2026

Windows remembers much more than you think: this is the ‘ghost’ ID it stores for every USB device you connect to your PC

Microsoft's Windows operating system retains a record of every USB device ever connected, storing this information in the Registry under USB or USBSTOR keys. This log includes unique identifiers, device names, and hardware specifications, remaining intact even after the device is disconnected. The stored information enhances the operating system's efficiency by allowing it to recognize devices upon reconnection, utilize previously installed drivers, and maintain prior settings. It also aids in system administration, diagnostics, and compatibility assessments, particularly in professional settings, and assists in digital forensics by reconstructing the history of hardware connections.

AppWizard

February 14, 2026

Russia Blocks WhatsApp Nationwide, Promotes State-Backed MAX Messaging App

Russia has implemented a nationwide ban on WhatsApp due to the platform's non-compliance with local legal requirements. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the ban and encouraged users to switch to MAX, a state-supported messaging platform. WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, expressed concerns over the Russian government's actions and the potential impact on user safety. The ban follows a series of restrictions on foreign messaging platforms, including limitations on WhatsApp's functionalities and actions against other platforms like Telegram. Russian authorities have previously imposed fines on WhatsApp for failing to remove illegal content. MAX offers messaging services and integrates access to government services and payment features. Critics argue that the restrictions reflect an effort to enhance state oversight of online communication, which officials deny is intended for surveillance.

BetaBeacon

February 13, 2026

The Darkside Detective Free on Epic Games Store

The Darkside Detective: A Fumble in the Dark is a point-and-click adventure game that follows Detective Francis McQueen and Officer Patrick Dooley as they investigate paranormal incidents in Twin Lakes, America's 34th-most haunted city. The game consists of six standalone cases that gradually build a larger narrative, taking place in various locations such as a carnival, retirement home, and amateur wrestling circuit. The game is available for free on Android through the Epic Games Store mobile app from February 12 to February 19, 2026.