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Kinzoo Messenger offers users a Dog Man experience
AppWizard
February 21, 2025

Kinzoo Messenger offers users a Dog Man experience

Kinzoo Messenger is a free social media application for children and families, launched in 2020, with over a million downloads in countries including the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia. The platform focuses on providing a safe environment for kids to connect through talk, text, and games. Its monetization strategy includes in-app currency for purchasing stickers, brand partnerships, and a paid subscription tier for exclusive content. Kinzoo has engaged children through collaborations with popular intellectual properties, achieving significant engagement metrics, such as 423,000 opt-ins for Rovio's Angry Birds and 321,000 for the Dog Man campaign within 20 days. The platform allows children to choose which brands to engage with, providing a secure alternative amid increasing regulatory scrutiny of traditional media.
Messenger rolls out new safety, useful, and fun features
AppWizard
February 21, 2025

Messenger rolls out new safety, useful, and fun features

Meta has updated Messenger with new features focusing on privacy, usability, and enjoyment. Privacy and safety updates include the View Once Media option for single-view media messages, screenshot and screen recording blocks, in-app scam alerts via Spam Protection, and streamlined reporting and blocking of suspicious contacts. Usability improvements consist of HD photo sharing, enhanced HD video calls, noise-suppressed audio for clearer calls, and Siri integration for easier navigation. Expressive features allow users to personalize chats with themes, add music to notes, and use new sticker packs, including the Butterbear stickers. Social features encourage community building through Messenger Communities, enabling topic-based chats via QR codes, and engaging with public figures through Broadcast Channels.
Russian Groups Target Signal Messenger in Spy Campaign
AppWizard
February 20, 2025

Russian Groups Target Signal Messenger in Spy Campaign

Multiple Russian threat groups are targeting the Signal Messenger application, focusing on individuals likely to engage in sensitive military and governmental communications during the conflict in Ukraine. Researchers from Google's Threat Intelligence Group have identified these attacks as primarily aimed at individuals of interest to Russian intelligence services. The two main cyber-espionage groups involved are UNC5792 (tracked by Ukraine's CERT as UAC-0195) and UNC4221 (UAC-0185). Their goal is to deceive victims into linking their Signal accounts to devices controlled by the attackers, granting access to incoming messages. UNC5792 uses invitations that resemble legitimate Signal group invites with malicious QR codes, while UNC4221 employs a phishing kit that mimics Ukraine's Kropyva app and includes harmful QR codes on fake sites. Other Russian and Belarusian groups, including Sandworm (APT44) and Turla, are also targeting Signal Messenger in various ways, such as stealing messages from databases or local storage. Additionally, Belarus-linked group UNC1151 uses the Robocopy tool to duplicate Signal messages for future theft. The increased activity against Signal reflects a broader interest in secure messaging apps used by individuals in espionage and intelligence roles. These apps' strong security features make them attractive to at-risk individuals and communities but also high-value targets for adversaries. Russian groups are also targeting Telegram and WhatsApp, with a recent report detailing attacks by the Russian group Star Blizzard on WhatsApp accounts of government officials and diplomats.
You Can Now Text Yourself via RCS on Google Messages (and You Should)
AppWizard
February 18, 2025

You Can Now Text Yourself via RCS on Google Messages (and You Should)

Google Messages has introduced a beta feature that allows users to send messages to themselves using RCS (Rich Communication Services), which provides advantages over SMS, such as the ability to send longer texts and high-resolution media without compression. However, RCS messages sent to oneself currently lack encryption. If the feature is active on a device, users can simply text themselves, or they may need to enroll in the Google Messages beta program. Self-messaging offers convenience and the ability to synchronize messages and media across devices, but users concerned about security may consider using encrypted platforms like Signal for sensitive information.
X Blocks Signal Messenger Links Shared on Posts, DMs, and More—But Why?
AppWizard
February 18, 2025

X Blocks Signal Messenger Links Shared on Posts, DMs, and More—But Why?

Users are experiencing difficulties sharing links from Signal Messenger on Elon Musk's X platform, as these links appear to be blocked. Reports indicate that attempts to share Signal links result in various error messages, affecting public tweets and direct messages. There has been no official explanation from X regarding this restriction. Journalist Matt Binder noted that links to Signal have seemingly vanished from X, with users reporting similar issues. Error messages encountered range from generic notices to alerts labeling posts as harmful content or spam. While links already posted may carry warnings, they can still be accessed; however, links associated with Signal handles or the main website are currently inaccessible. Elon Musk previously endorsed Signal Messenger as a trustworthy alternative to WhatsApp, but the current blockage suggests a shift in his stance on secure messaging.
Federal workers say they increasingly distrust platforms like Facebook
AppWizard
February 16, 2025

Federal workers say they increasingly distrust platforms like Facebook

Federal employees are increasingly concerned about the security of traditional communication platforms and are migrating to encrypted messaging apps like Signal for personal and work-related discussions. This shift is driven by distrust in technology companies, particularly those perceived to have ties with the Trump administration, and fears that user data may be shared with the government. Employees have noted a change in workplace conversation dynamics, becoming more guarded and circumspect. Concerns have also been raised about the potential misuse of personal data, highlighted by past incidents involving companies like Meta. Many federal workers are seeking security tips through forums and adopting measures such as anonymous display names to protect their identities. The federal workforce consists of over 3 million individuals, indicating a significant portion of the U.S. labor market is affected by these privacy and data security concerns.
This Messenger App Offers Feature To 'Partially' Ignore Others - Trak.in - Indian Business of Tech, Mobile & Startups
AppWizard
February 15, 2025

This Messenger App Offers Feature To ‘Partially’ Ignore Others – Trak.in – Indian Business of Tech, Mobile & Startups

Discord has introduced a new feature that allows users to partially ignore specific individuals, enabling them to manage interactions without muting the entire app or blocking contacts. Users can choose to ignore someone by clicking on their profile and selecting the ignore option. Ignored individuals can still send messages, which users can view at their discretion, and they will not receive notifications about their status. This feature is designed to reduce annoyance from spam messages while maintaining the option for communication. It is particularly useful in situations of persistent harassment, although users are still encouraged to block and report inappropriate messages when necessary.
Vietnam’s internet messaging rate higher than global average
AppWizard
February 14, 2025

Vietnam’s internet messaging rate higher than global average

Vietnam has an internet messaging adoption rate of 95.8% among users aged 16 and above, surpassing the global average of 94.5%. In Southeast Asia, the Philippines and Indonesia have higher adoption rates at 98.9% and 98.4%, respectively. Among those aged 16-24, 96.7% of males and 96.3% of females use chat and messenger services, while adoption rates drop to 76.5% for men and 68.5% for women aged 65 and above. Vietnam also leads in mobile video call usage at 41.1%, compared to the global average of 35.5%. Zalo is the leading messaging platform in Vietnam with an 85% penetration rate, followed by Facebook at 59% and Messenger at 52%. As of June 30, 2024, Vietnam had 110 million social media accounts.
Facebook Messenger down and out for over an hour
AppWizard
February 12, 2025

Facebook Messenger down and out for over an hour

On February 11, 2025, Facebook Messenger experienced a significant outage starting around 2 p.m. local time in Vietnam, affecting users' ability to send and receive messages, particularly on the desktop version. Reports of issues surged to nearly 1,000 cases within an hour, according to Downdetector. Users reported slow and unstable service, with some unable to access the desktop version at all. By 3:10 p.m., some users began to regain access, but new outage reports continued to be logged. This incident followed previous outages affecting Meta's services, including a December 12, 2024 outage lasting over four hours, a March 2024 disruption lasting about an hour, a global outage in 2021 lasting six hours due to a configuration error, and a 24-hour connectivity loss in 2019.
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