legislation

AppWizard
June 7, 2025
In late May, a significant amendment was introduced to a draft bill aimed at establishing a government-backed instant messaging platform, endorsed by President Vladimir Putin, which would have unique privileges compared to competitors. The proposed legislation includes features like document certification using electronic signatures and replacing physical identification with the platform's identification, which private enterprises would be required to accept. The platform is intended to function as an alternative to Russia's existing digital government services but will not replace them. The government will select an organization to manage the platform, which may be a private Russian company with over 500,000 users. VK, the company behind Russia's leading social network, is the frontrunner to develop the super-app called "Max," which offers various features and aims to integrate with external services. The Russian government may consider blocking competitors to Max, such as WhatsApp and Telegram, with the latter having a user base of 68 million daily users. President Putin has instructed his cabinet to promote the Russian messaging platform by migrating services from government agencies and financial institutions.
Winsage
June 5, 2025
Microsoft is implementing significant changes to its Windows operating systems in response to the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which took effect in March 2024. Starting in June 2025, Windows 10 and 11 users in the European Economic Area (EEA) will have the option to uninstall pre-installed applications, including the Windows Store. The process for setting third-party browsers, such as Chrome or Firefox, as the default will be simplified, moving away from the default Edge browser. Microsoft will also stop incentivizing users to switch to Edge by removing pop-up prompts. Additionally, users will be able to select alternative news feeds within taskbar widgets. These changes aim to enhance user control and promote competition within the Windows ecosystem.
AppWizard
April 24, 2025
Ubisoft has decided to discontinue The Crew, leading to significant backlash against always-online gaming, resulting in a class action lawsuit, new legislation in California, and a disclaimer on Steam. In response, Ubisoft pledged to avoid similar actions for The Crew 2 and The Crew Motorfest. Seven months later, the company announced development of an offline mode is underway, with a playtest starting on April 30. Positive feedback has been received for the offline initiative, and players are now requesting similar functionality for other titles. Ubisoft plans to roll out the offline mode for The Crew 2 by the end of 2025, with The Crew Motorfest to follow later.
AppWizard
February 26, 2025
Sweden's law enforcement and security agencies are pushing for legislation that would require messaging platforms Signal and WhatsApp to create technical backdoors for accessing encrypted communications. Meredith Whittaker, President of the Signal Foundation, stated that Signal would exit the Swedish market if forced to comply. The proposed bill could be presented to the Riksdag, requiring Signal and WhatsApp to retain messages and allow authorities to access message histories of criminal suspects. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer argued that access to this data is essential for combating crime. However, the Swedish Armed Forces oppose the bill, citing concerns that backdoors could create vulnerabilities for exploitation. Neither Signal nor WhatsApp has commented on the issue. This situation reflects a larger global debate on encrypted communication and law enforcement access, with similar legislative efforts seen in the U.S. and the U.K.
AppWizard
February 18, 2025
Nearly 39,000 child sex abuse image crimes were documented in the past year, with approximately 38,685 crimes recorded in England and Wales during the 2023/24 period, averaging over 100 incidents per day. Snapchat was identified as the most frequently mentioned app in these cases, accounting for 50% of incidents, followed by Instagram (11%), Facebook (7%), and WhatsApp (6%). The NSPCC and other organizations are advocating for stronger enforcement of the Online Safety Act, citing concerns about a loophole that allows direct messaging services to remove harmful content only if deemed "technically feasible." The NSPCC expressed the need for proactive measures from platforms to prevent becoming "safe havens" for abusers, particularly highlighting risks associated with end-to-end encryption. A 13-year-old victim shared her distressing experience on Snapchat, where she was threatened after sending nude pictures to a stranger. NSPCC chief executive Chris Sherwood called for immediate government action, criticizing separate regulations for private messaging services that allow tech companies to evade responsibility. The Online Safety Act, passed in 2023, mandates social media companies to mitigate illegal and harmful content, but protective measures are still being implemented. Ofcom stated that most services should be capable of removing harmful content, while a government spokesperson reiterated the commitment to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse and to implement the Online Safety Act effectively.
AppWizard
February 14, 2025
TikTok has returned to the app stores of both Apple and Android in the United States after being removed due to a divest-or-ban law enacted by former President Joe Biden, which raised national security concerns about its parent company, ByteDance. The app was inaccessible since late January, despite its service remaining operational. A Supreme Court ruling on January 17 upheld the ban, leading to TikTok's reinstatement by Apple and Android shortly thereafter. During TikTok's removal, there was a surge in secondhand sales of used iPhones pre-installed with the app, and competitors like Meta-owned Instagram announced new applications to rival TikTok. Users also explored alternative platforms like Clapper and RedNote during TikTok's absence.
AppWizard
February 14, 2025
TikTok has returned to the app stores of Apple and Google in the U.S. after a temporary blackout, following President Donald Trump's decision to postpone a potential ban until April 5, allowing TikTok 75 days to comply with legislation requiring the sale of its U.S. operations. The ban, supported by both parties in Congress, mandates that TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, divest its U.S. operations to avoid a complete prohibition of the app due to concerns over espionage and political manipulation. Reports indicate that TikTok's reinstatement was facilitated by assurances from the Trump administration to Apple and Google regarding potential liability. Trump's stance on TikTok has shifted from initially supporting a ban to expressing a more favorable view of the platform. He discussed a potential joint ownership model with TikTok CEO Shou Chew and mentioned various high-profile figures, including Larry Ellison, Elon Musk, Frank McCourt, and Kevin O'Leary, as potential buyers. Additionally, MrBeast, a popular YouTuber, has shown interest in acquiring TikTok after receiving outreach from investors.
AppWizard
February 11, 2025
TikTok has enabled Android users to download and connect to its platform directly from its website to bypass restrictions imposed by U.S. app stores since a law took effect on January 19, requiring its parent company, ByteDance, to divest ownership or face a ban due to national security concerns. The app has approximately 170 million users in the U.S. Former President Donald Trump has discussed the potential sale of TikTok and ordered the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund that could aid in its acquisition. U.S. officials are concerned about the misuse of American user data, but TikTok claims its data is securely stored in the U.S. and that content moderation decisions are made domestically. The law, which has bipartisan support and was signed by President Joe Biden, continues to be debated, particularly by free speech advocates.
AppWizard
February 8, 2025
TikTok has announced that Android users in the U.S. can download the app from its official website due to its absence from Google and Apple’s app stores, following a new U.S. law effective January 19 that requires ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban. Despite the law, TikTok remains unavailable on both platforms, and President Trump has signed an executive order delaying enforcement by 75 days while discussions for a potential acquisition continue. TikTok has approximately 170 million users in the U.S. and has denied allegations regarding the misuse of user data, stating that data is stored securely in the U.S. on Oracle-operated cloud servers. Concerns about ByteDance's ownership persist, and while there is bipartisan support for a ban, free speech advocates argue it undermines digital rights. The future of TikTok in the U.S. is uncertain, with no confirmation from ByteDance about a potential sale.
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