Open-Source Archives

AppWizard

July 24, 2026

India orders takedown of Jack Dorsey’s bitcoin-linked messaging app Bitchat

India's Cyber Crime Coordination Centre has ordered GitHub to remove Bitchat, an offline messaging app created by Jack Dorsey, due to its use by anti-government demonstrators in Delhi. The order, issued under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, targets three GitHub repositories linked to Bitchat and requires action within three hours. The app enables anonymous communication without registration, posing challenges for law enforcement regarding lawful interception and investigation. Bitchat is a decentralized messaging tool that uses Bluetooth mesh networks for encrypted communication without internet access, and it also supports offline bitcoin transactions, ensuring continuity during outages or shutdowns.

Tech Optimizer

July 23, 2026

Optimizing PostgreSQL on Azure directly in Visual Studio Code

Poor database performance can lead to missed SLAs, delayed releases, customer dissatisfaction, and lost revenue. Microsoft has enhanced PostgreSQL on Azure, transforming it into a fully managed platform that meets enterprise demands. Azure Database for PostgreSQL and the new Azure HorizonDB offer significant performance improvements, with HorizonDB being three times faster than self-managed PostgreSQL. The PostgreSQL extension for Visual Studio Code integrates performance management into development workflows, providing tools for managing PostgreSQL throughout its lifecycle. Key features include a server metrics dashboard that displays performance indicators, Azure Advisor recommendations for actionable insights, improved query plan visualization, and AI-assisted query analysis. The extension also enhances schema design and query formulation experiences, ensuring secure and governed interactions with PostgreSQL. Azure HorizonDB is in public preview, designed for AI-native workloads. These advancements aim to reduce friction, enhance clarity, and enable faster actions for enterprise teams managing PostgreSQL at scale.

Winsage

July 21, 2026

Persistent Telemetry: Permanent Microsoft Windows Identifier

Discussions about consumer privacy in the Windows ecosystem have focused on optional diagnostic settings and telemetry controls. Recently, the Global Device Identifier (GDID), a permanent device-level token embedded in the Windows operating system, was revealed in a U.S. Department of Justice complaint related to a cybercriminal investigation. The GDID uniquely identifies a Windows installation and is used by Microsoft services. It is generated when a device is linked to a Microsoft account and resides in the Windows registry, being included in data sent to remote servers. There is no option to disable or delete the GDID, and attempts to do so can disrupt essential features. This has led privacy-conscious users to consider alternatives like Linux, which offers more control over data and does not require persistent identifiers. For Windows users, strategies to minimize data linked to the GDID include using local accounts, disabling optional diagnostics, and reviewing cloud app sync settings. Privacy advocates are calling for better user controls and opt-out mechanisms for hardware tracking tokens.

AppWizard

July 20, 2026

Reader poll says 1 thing matters most in free apps — and it’s not open source

A recent poll among users of free Android applications revealed their preferences regarding app features. The absence of advertisements was the top priority for 33.6% of respondents, indicating a strong aversion to intrusive ads. Additionally, 12.4% valued the absence of paywalls, suggesting they prioritize accessibility over ads. Only 5.7% considered the open-source nature of apps significant. Notably, 48.2% of participants believed that all three features—absence of ads, no paywalls, and open-source access—are equally important.

Tech Optimizer

July 18, 2026

North Korea Buried Four-Stage Malware in Flag Images: Zero Antivirus Detections

North Korea's Contagious Interview hackers have been using a deceptive strategy to target developers by posing as recruiters and embedding malware in SVG files. Elastic Security Labs discovered that the attackers hid malicious payloads within HTML comment blocks of these files, allowing the malware to evade antivirus detection. At the time of the findings, no antivirus engines flagged the compromised repositories, which included trojanized GitHub repositories disguised as coding challenges. The malware executed automatically at server startup and deployed four modules: a browser credential and cryptocurrency wallet stealer, a file stealer, a remote access Trojan, and a clipboard monitor. The campaign, tracked as REF9403, is part of the ongoing Contagious Interview operation attributed to North Korea's Lazarus Group, which aims to generate revenue through cryptocurrency theft. Developers are advised to audit any projects run from unsolicited sources and to monitor specific domains associated with the attack.

TrendTechie

July 18, 2026

Скачать нейросеть как торрент. В США готовятся к вторжению бесплатных китайских ИИ класса Mythos

The United States is preparing for the availability of advanced Chinese neural networks for free download, which may lead to a reevaluation of U.S. regulations on open-source models. The Trump administration is discussing unified requirements for these systems with industry representatives, using advanced Chinese models as a benchmark. Chinese models, particularly those known as Mythos, are expected to be accessible within 6 to 12 months, allowing users to run, modify, and integrate them without oversight. This situation poses challenges for U.S. companies, as strict regulations could impede local innovation while failing to curb foreign technology proliferation. Additionally, technology companies are working to reduce electricity consumption in data centers, which currently account for about 1.5% of global electricity usage, with the International Energy Agency predicting a rapid increase in demand. Companies are experimenting with superconducting cables and optical connections to decrease energy consumption during data transmission, although these solutions have not yet been widely implemented.

AppWizard

July 17, 2026

RPCS3 Emulator Now Plays 75% of PS3 Game Library on PC

The RPCS3 emulator for PlayStation 3 can now run 75% of the PS3 game library, which is 2,681 out of 3,559 titles. No games are rated with zero compatibility, with 0.06% classified as "Loadable," 1.69% as "Ingame," and 22.93% as playable to some extent. Some popular titles like Grand Theft Auto IV and the Assassin's Creed series are still "Ingame," while Battlefield 1943 is at the "Intro" stage.

BetaBeacon

July 16, 2026

Google is better at playing the EU regulations game

The European Union has ordered Google to give its AI rivals greater access to Android, the open-source operating system.

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

Amnesia: What If a Messenger Was Designed to Forget?

In digital communication, traditional messaging platforms act as persistent archives of user data, including accounts, devices, contacts, and interactions, which can hinder the essence of communication. While end-to-end encryption enhances privacy, it does not eliminate data retention. Amnesia is a concept that proposes a messaging platform emphasizing temporary communication with no permanent accounts or conversation histories. The initial prototype allows users to create one-time sessions using QR codes, ensuring that all data is destroyed once the session ends. Each session generates unique identity keys, preventing credential reuse and session token theft. The system does not retain any conversation history, reinforcing the principle that once a session is terminated, the data is irretrievable. Amnesia's relay facilitates communication without retaining user accounts or histories, and its design minimizes durable information to reduce risks. The project is currently an architectural concept and an early prototype, not ready for production or sensitive communications.

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

PlayStation 3 emulator RPCS3 gets 75% of all games playable on PC

RPCS3, the open-source PlayStation 3 emulator, has achieved that 75.33% of all PlayStation 3 games are now fully playable on PC. Additionally, 22.93% of games can enter gameplay but are not completable, and 1.69% cannot progress past the introduction. RPCS3 also provides a native version for Linux users.