messaging applications Archives

AppWizard

December 31, 2025

How to Retrieve Deleted Messages from Messenger: A Parent’s Step-by-Step Guide

Children are increasingly using messaging applications like Messenger for communication, leading to parental concerns over disappearing messages. Parents may want to retrieve deleted messages for reasons such as accidental deletion, bullying, or inappropriate conversations. Deleted Messenger messages may not be permanently erased immediately, and recovery is possible under certain conditions. Methods for recovering deleted messages include checking archived conversations, downloading Messenger account data, checking linked devices, and using Messenger tracking apps for parental monitoring. Parents should engage in open communication with their children about safety and establish digital guidelines to foster trust. To prevent message loss in the future, parents can educate children about archiving versus deleting messages, encourage responsible message management, and promote openness regarding online interactions.

AppWizard

December 5, 2025

Banned and blocked. Russia says good-bye to messaging apps

Russia's censorship agency, Roskomnadzor, has banned several popular communication platforms, including Snapchat, WhatsApp, and FaceTime, citing their use in organizing terrorist acts, recruiting criminals, and committing fraud. The ban on WhatsApp, a widely used messaging app in Russia, is expected to have significant implications. This decision follows a pattern of increasing digital restrictions, with other services such as Facebook, Instagram, Signal, Viber, and Google Meet also being blocked. Russian authorities are promoting a national messaging app called Max, which is set to become mandatory in public sectors by January 1, 2026. Max will require full access to users' devices and will collect telemetry and metadata, raising privacy concerns due to its integration with government systems.

Winsage

December 5, 2025

Decline of Native Windows Apps: Electron’s Rise and Hybrid Future

Native Windows apps, once central to the desktop experience, are declining in favor of web-based technologies like Electron and Chromium. Developers are shifting towards web wrappers for cross-platform compatibility and efficiency, despite performance drawbacks. WhatsApp has transitioned from a native app to a web wrapper, prioritizing maintenance over performance. This trend is evident across various software categories, with applications like Spotify and Slack adopting web frameworks, leading to increased resource consumption and slower performance. Microsoft’s focus on cloud services and AI has influenced this shift, as has the demand for cross-platform solutions. Native apps are being overshadowed by web technologies, which often lack deep integration with Windows features. Performance trade-offs are significant, with web wrappers consuming more memory than native apps. The rise of progressive web apps (PWAs) and AI integration further complicates the landscape, suggesting a future where the definition of "native" may evolve. The tech community is divided on these changes, with some advocating for a balance between web and native solutions.

AppWizard

December 3, 2025

India mandates SIM-linked messaging apps to fight rising fraud

India's Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has mandated that messaging services must operate with active SIM cards linked to users' phone numbers to combat cyber fraud. Popular apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and Snapchat must comply with these SIM-binding rules within 90 days. The new regulations also require web sessions to automatically log out after six hours to enhance security and address issues related to long-lived web sessions, which have been exploited by fraudsters. This initiative aims to improve the traceability of accounts and reduce fraudulent activities, particularly phishing schemes and scams. Cyber-fraud losses in India reached ₹22,800 crore in 2024, prompting these Telecom Cyber Security measures. Users roaming with their SIMs will not be affected by the new regulations.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

India Orders Messaging Apps to Work Only With Active SIM Cards to Prevent Fraud and Misuse

India's Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has mandated that app-based communication service providers implement measures requiring an active SIM card linked to the user's mobile number. This applies to messaging applications such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal, which must comply within 90 days. The amendment to the Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Rules, 2024, aims to mitigate the misuse of telecommunication identifiers exploited for phishing and scams. The directive requires continuous linkage to the SIM card, and web service instances will log out every six hours, necessitating re-linking via QR code. This is intended to reduce account takeover risks and ensure that accounts are linked to KYC-verified SIMs. The DoT also announced a Mobile Number Validation (MNV) platform to combat identity fraud related to unverified mobile number associations.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

WhatsApp Launches EU Interoperability for Encrypted Cross-App Messaging

Meta Platforms Inc.’s WhatsApp is rolling out interoperability features across Europe, allowing users to send messages to individuals on third-party applications starting in November 2024. This initiative is in response to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires dominant tech companies to enhance competition by opening their platforms. Users will be able to communicate while maintaining end-to-end encryption, a process that has taken over three years to develop. Users must opt-in to receive messages from third-party applications, and the initial rollout is limited to specific partners. The interoperability allows for sharing text, images, voice messages, videos, and files. Meta's engineering team adapted WhatsApp's infrastructure to accommodate external services while upholding encryption standards. Concerns have been raised about potential security vulnerabilities and the implications of proposed regulations like "Chat Control" that could conflict with encryption efforts. This development could influence competitive dynamics in the messaging sector, providing smaller applications like BirdyChat and Haiket visibility by integrating with WhatsApp’s large user base. Compliance with the DMA helps Meta avoid fines while risking dilution of WhatsApp's market dominance. Privacy implications are a significant concern, with discussions around how interoperability could facilitate surveillance or compromise user security. Meta's journey involved regulatory oversight to ensure compliance with DMA objectives, and the success of this initiative could set a precedent for global standards in digital communication.

AppWizard

December 1, 2025

Government warns WhatsApp, Telegram and other messaging apps: Within 90 days, make sure your app stops working if… – The Times of India

By February 2026, India's telecom authority will implement a SIM binding policy requiring users to continuously verify their registered SIM cards for messaging applications like WhatsApp to combat cyber fraud. Users will be logged out of web versions of these apps after six hours, necessitating re-authentication via QR code. Messaging platforms have a 90-day period to comply with this requirement, which means apps will stop functioning if the registered SIM is removed. The new regulations classify these platforms as Telecommunication Identifier User Entities (TIUEs), expanding regulatory oversight. Challenges may arise for travelers and multi-device users, as they may face difficulties maintaining access to services. Critics, including industry insiders, question the feasibility and effectiveness of the policy, calling it problematic and an overreach. Messaging platforms must comply by early 2026 to avoid regulatory consequences.

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

Signal’s president warns AI agents are an existential threat to secure messaging apps

Meredith Whittaker, president of Signal, expresses strong concerns about the rise of AI agents, describing them as an “existential threat” to secure messaging platforms and app developers. AI agents require access to sensitive information, creating new vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cybercriminals. Whittaker points out the risk of prompt injection attacks, which can manipulate AI to execute harmful actions, leading to data breaches. She argues that unrestricted access to user communications by AI agents poses a significant risk to privacy and security, undermining the foundational security of the internet. Whittaker criticizes the reckless implementation of AI by Big Tech companies, suggesting it compromises cybersecurity in favor of rapid deployment and financial pressures.

AppWizard

November 29, 2025

WhatsApp Blocked in Russia: Messaging App Faces Crackdown

Roskomnadzor, Russia's communications regulator, plans to impose stricter restrictions on WhatsApp due to allegations of its use in activities that violate Russian law, such as organizing terrorist acts and fraud. WhatsApp has not met compliance standards, leading to extended limitations and the possibility of a complete ban if violations continue. Users have experienced a decline in call quality since August, prompting a recommendation to switch to domestic messaging apps. Andrey Svintsov, a deputy chairman in the State Duma, anticipates a potential shutdown of WhatsApp in Russia within four to six months, attributing restrictions to the app's owners' unwillingness to cooperate with Russian authorities and concerns over data security.

AppWizard

November 28, 2025

Vitalik Buterin Donates $765K in Ethereum to Privacy Messaging Apps

Vitalik Buterin donated approximately 5,000 ETH to the privacy messaging applications Session and SimpleX. He emphasized the importance of encrypted messaging for digital privacy and mentioned two key areas for improvement: permissionless account creation and metadata privacy. Session aims to minimize metadata leakage and saw its token, SESH, rise by 371% in a day. SimpleX focuses on user identity ownership and plans to introduce community support vouchers. Buterin acknowledged both applications have room for improvement in user experience and security. The increasing interest in privacy applications is driven by concerns over global surveillance, with recent government regulations highlighting the need for privacy solutions. The Ethereum Foundation has formed a new privacy team to enhance its initiatives. Privacy-focused cryptocurrencies like Zcash have also seen significant growth, with Zcash rising by 793% over the past year.