messaging app Archives

AppWizard

September 19, 2026

Russia’s national messenger app Max found to contain backdoor capable of secret screen captures

Researchers have found that Max, a messaging app mandated by the Russian government, can secretly capture screenshots, access sensitive information, impersonate users, and inject code into other applications. Developed by VK, the app integrates messaging, banking, and government services. Since September 1 of last year, it has been preinstalled on new smartphones, following the blocking of WhatsApp and Telegram. Despite its reach, it is not widely used in political circles, with insiders indicating that compliance with its use is performative.

Tech Optimizer

September 15, 2026

Iranian Hackers Use Fake Norton Antivirus to Spread Windows Spyware

Iranian state-sponsored hackers are targeting dissidents, activists, and journalists using deceptive tactics, including malicious applications that impersonate reputable cybersecurity products like Norton Antivirus and KeePass. The FBI and UK authorities issued a warning about these hackers, who establish rapport with targets via social messaging platforms, posing as IT support or known contacts. They convince victims to download files that appear authentic, including AI video creation applications and other software. The spyware, named “Chosen Brick,” infects Windows PCs and has capabilities such as capturing screen content, recording audio, collecting message data, and downloading additional malware. The hackers have exploited this spyware to publish personal details of victims, increasing their harassment. The FBI advises potential victims on detecting the spyware and recommends enabling antivirus software, running regular scans, and avoiding unofficial downloads.

AppWizard

September 15, 2026

XChat, X’s messaging app is unavailable on the Apple Store and Android’s Play Store

XChat was launched in April 2026 as a dedicated app for private conversations, featuring end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, direct messaging, group chats, audio and video calls, file sharing, and PIN protection. It was designed to be ad-free and included features like message editing and notifications for screenshots. After its public launch, XChat's future became uncertain when it was abruptly removed from the digital landscape, with no explanation from X regarding the reasons for its withdrawal or its potential return.

AppWizard

September 10, 2026

Venture builder Improbable backs AI business messaging app with $10M

Improbable, a UK tech company, has launched an AI messaging application called Bolter to improve business processes, following a significant investment from the company. Founded in 2012, Improbable has shifted focus from gaming to becoming a venture builder, introducing Bolter as its third product in 2023, after the blockchain solution Somnia and the AI tool Kallikor. Bolter enables non-technical users to automate tasks using plain text and features AI agents that collaborate on task planning and delegation. It routes requests to the most suitable AI model and emphasizes European sovereignty in developing messaging platforms to compete with US tech firms. Improbable's CEO, Herman Narula, acknowledges the competitive landscape but believes in the value of their mixed human and AI agent approach.

AppWizard

September 10, 2026

Comma Compliance Open-Sources the Android App That Archives Employee Text Messages

Comma Compliance released the source code for its Android capture component on September 10, 2026, allowing corporate IT and security teams to inspect the software that captures employee text messages for compliance archiving. The source code is available on GitHub under the MIT license. The capture mechanism reads messages stored in the phone's default messaging app, encrypts them, and sends them to the customer's Comma backend without intercepting messages in transit. A persistent notification appears on the phone when archiving is active, indicating the organization responsible for the archiving. Comma previously open-sourced its WhatsApp and Signal capture connectors in 2025.

AppWizard

September 10, 2026

Tong Launches Investigation of Messaging App He Calls ‘Cesspool Of Sexual Abuse’

Attorney General William Tong has launched an investigation into MediaLab.AI Inc., the parent company of Kik, due to concerns about the app's child safety practices. Kik is described as having inadequate age verification and content screening, with about one-third of American teenagers using it, and 70% of users aged 13 to 24. The National Center on Sexual Exploitation identified Kik as a leading app for exposing children to sexual content and included it in their “Dirty Dozen” list. Between 2014 and 2020, over 2,000 federal cases involved Kik. MediaLab has attempted to improve safety by reclassifying the app to an 18+ rating and activating explicit content filters, but these efforts have been deemed insufficient. The investigation will also assess Kik's compliance with the Connecticut Data Privacy Act, focusing on the handling of sensitive data without consent.

AppWizard

September 9, 2026

Attorney General Tong Announces Investigation Into “Predator’s Paradise” Kik Messenger App

Attorney General William Tong has launched an investigation into MediaLab.AI Inc., the parent company of the messaging app Kik, following allegations of inadequate age verification and content moderation practices. Kik has been criticized for its reputation as a platform for sexual abuse, exploitation, and bullying, particularly among minors, with over one-third of American teens reportedly using the app. A 2025 report ranked Kik as the second worst app for extreme sexual content and the third worst for severe bullying, and the app has been included on the National Center on Child Exploitation's "Dirty Dozen" list. Despite claims of restricting new users to those aged 18 and older as of September 2023, evidence suggests that Kik continued to market to younger audiences, and the app maintained a "Teen" rating until early 2025. The Attorney General's office issued a notice of violation to MediaLab in July 2025 for deficiencies in Kik’s privacy practices and has issued a civil investigative demand for further records related to data processing and content moderation. This investigation is part of a broader effort to protect children from online threats in Connecticut.

AppWizard

September 8, 2026

Connecticut Launches Kids Safety Probe Into Kik Messenger App

Connecticut's attorney general is investigating Kik, a messaging app popular with teenagers, due to concerns about its age verification, privacy, and content moderation practices, labeling it a “predator’s paradise.” This inquiry is part of a larger effort by the state to examine online platforms that may inadequately protect children. Attorney General William Tong stated a commitment to using enforcement powers to hold Big Tech accountable for minors' safety. Recent actions include a settlement with Meta Platforms Inc. and an ongoing investigation into Roblox Corp. Kik's policies, particularly its lack of stringent age verification and content moderation, have raised alarms about risks to its teenage users. The investigation will assess Kik's management of user data, privacy safeguards, and content moderation practices.

AppWizard

September 8, 2026

‘Predator’s paradise’: Connecticut AG investigates popular messaging app

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has launched an investigation into the messaging platform Kik over concerns about its effectiveness in protecting children from online exploitation. The inquiry centers on allegations of inadequate age verification measures, which expose younger users to potential dangers. Kik lacks parental controls, prompting Tong to compare it unfavorably to other platforms, and he described it as a "predator's paradise." The National Center on Sexual Exploitation has also raised alarms about Kik being a tool for grooming children and distributing explicit content. Local residents shared experiences of minimal restrictions on the app, and while Kik claims to be intended for adults only, Tong criticized its age-verification processes as ineffective. He has advised parents to monitor their children's online activities and consider removing Kik from their devices.

AppWizard

September 8, 2026

Connecticut attorney general calls Kik messenger app a ‘predator’s paradise’

Connecticut's Attorney General, William Tong, is investigating MediaLab.AI Inc.'s messaging app, Kik, due to concerns about inadequate age assurance practices and content moderation. Child safety advocates have criticized Kik as a “predator’s paradise.” Tong described Kik as a platform with significant issues related to sexual abuse, exploitation, and bullying, lacking meaningful age verification and protections for users. The app has over one-third of American teens using it, down from 40 percent in 2016. MediaLab has only partially responded to inquiries about privacy and safety. Tong's office has issued a civil investigative demand for information on MediaLab’s data processing, content moderation, and age assurance practices to assess compliance with the Connecticut Data Privacy Act and the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act.