Open-Source Archives

Winsage

April 11, 2026

Microsoft terminated accounts tied to VeraCrypt, WireGuard, and Windscribe

Several prominent security and privacy developers, including those behind VeraCrypt, WireGuard, and Windscribe, had their Microsoft developer accounts terminated, preventing them from accessing essential publishing and verification tools. Microsoft acknowledged the terminations but did not provide a detailed explanation. The lead developer of VeraCrypt, Mounir Idrassi, expressed frustration over the inability to sign drivers and ship updates for WireGuard due to the account suspension. Windscribe reported similar issues and difficulties in reaching Microsoft support. The situation gained attention on social media, prompting Microsoft’s EVP for Windows and Devices, Pavan Davuluri, to assure that the company was working to resolve the issue and had reached out to VeraCrypt and WireGuard to reinstate their accounts. The terminations were attributed to a new mandatory account verification process that took effect on October 16, 2025, requiring partners to verify their identities with government-issued IDs. Microsoft acknowledged the need to improve communication regarding such changes.

Tech Optimizer

April 11, 2026

Overcoming barriers to database modernisation in the AI age

Enterprises in Malaysia are transitioning from legacy systems to modern infrastructure to facilitate AI deployment. A roundtable discussion highlighted the challenges of AI integration, emphasizing the need to reduce costs associated with outdated systems. Organizations are adopting hybrid cloud approaches and utilizing various databases to manage extensive data across multiple applications. The push for AI is driven by management and customer expectations, but employee willingness to upskill remains a challenge. Not all challenges require AI solutions, and starting with smaller use cases can lead to successful scaling. The adoption of open-source database systems like Postgres is increasing, necessitating reliable support to address issues and ensure application availability. Data sovereignty is a concern for enterprises operating in mixed environments, and EDB Postgres AI offers a platform that combines security with cloud agility. Reducing infrastructure costs is essential for freeing up resources for new initiatives.

Winsage

April 10, 2026

France to Ditch Microsoft Windows as Europe’s War on American Tech Rages On

France has announced its intention to transition some of its government systems from Windows to Linux to reduce reliance on American technology. The initial phase will involve machines used by the Interministerial Directorate for Digital Affairs (DINUM), although a timeline for the transition has not been established. French Minister David Amiel stated that this move is part of a broader effort to regain control of digital sovereignty. Earlier this year, France banned public officials from using American videoconferencing platforms such as Google Meet, Zoom, and Teams. The European Commission is drafting legislation to promote tech sovereignty, but there are concerns about the security implications of moving away from American technology. Transitioning to Linux will require French government employees to adapt to open-source software, potentially replacing Microsoft Office 365 with alternatives like LibreOffice.

AppWizard

April 10, 2026

Privacy Messenger Session Is Staring Down a 90-Day Countdown to Obscurity

The messaging app Session, which prioritizes user privacy and offers end-to-end encryption without requiring personal information for registration, is facing potential closure and has issued a call for support. The Session Technology Foundation (STF) has received funding to support operations for 90 days but will rely on volunteers after all paid staff have been let go. Development activities have paused due to insufficient funding, affecting the introduction of new features and the resolution of existing bugs. The STF has stated that it needs million to complete ongoing projects and introduce a subscription model to achieve self-sustainability. As of now, 0,000 has been raised towards this goal. Users can contribute at getsession.org/donate.

Winsage

April 10, 2026

French government says au revoir Windows, bienvenue Linux

France announced its intention to migrate its workstations from Microsoft Windows to the open-source Linux operating system as part of a broader initiative across Europe aimed at achieving digital sovereignty and reducing reliance on foreign technology. The French government also plans to replace its videoconferencing tools with the domestically developed Visio and migrate its health data to a new platform by the end of 2026. European leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen, have emphasized the importance of maintaining digital sovereignty despite pressures from the Trump administration, which has criticized European regulations on American tech companies. Christian Kroll, CEO of Ecosia, and Giorgos Verdi, a policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, have highlighted the need for Europe to assert its independence and strengthen its innovation landscape to avoid external pressures.

Winsage

April 10, 2026

French government says it is ditching Windows for Linux, here’s why

The French government is transitioning from Microsoft Windows to the open-source Linux operating system as part of a strategy to reclaim control over national data and reduce reliance on American software. This initiative, led by the Interministerial Directorate for Digital Affairs (DINUM), aims to ensure that France's data and infrastructure are not dictated by external entities. The government is conducting an audit of its digital infrastructure to find sovereign alternatives and has already confirmed its exit from Windows. The National Health Insurance Fund is migrating its 80,000 agents to tools developed on an interministerial digital platform, and the government plans to migrate its health data platform to a trusted domestic solution by the end of 2026.

Winsage

April 10, 2026

Microsoft Locked Out VeraCrypt, WireGuard, and Windscribe from Pushing Windows Updates

Microsoft implemented a mandatory account verification process for all partners in the Windows Hardware Program who had not completed verification since April 2024, effective October 16, 2025. This requirement necessitated that partners verify their identities using a government-issued ID matching the name of the primary contact in the Partner Center. Failure to meet this deadline or pass verification resulted in account suspension, preventing further submissions. This affected the ability of developers to sign Windows kernel drivers, leading to suspensions for notable open source projects like VeraCrypt, WireGuard, and Windscribe. Mounir Idrassi, the developer of VeraCrypt, reported his account was terminated without notice, and Jason Donenfeld of WireGuard faced similar issues. Windscribe experienced a prolonged resolution process despite having a verified account for over eight years. Following these suspensions, Scott Hanselman from Microsoft announced that the accounts would be reinstated and corrective measures were being taken.

Winsage

April 9, 2026

This fake Windows support website delivers password-stealing malware

A phishing campaign has been identified that uses a counterfeit Microsoft support website, microsoft-update[.]support, to trick users into downloading a malicious Windows update disguised as WindowsUpdate 1.0.0.msi. This file, created on April 4, 2026, appears legitimate but contains malware designed to steal sensitive information. The campaign targets French-speaking users, leveraging recent data breaches in France to create convincing scams. The malware, once executed, installs an Electron application that runs a Python interpreter, which then deploys various data theft tools. It employs two persistence mechanisms: modifying the Windows registry and creating a shortcut in the Startup folder. The malware connects to external sites for reconnaissance and data exfiltration, using domains like datawebsync-lvmv.onrender[.]com and store8.gofile[.]io. The malware's components have evaded detection by antivirus tools, with VirusTotal reporting zero detections for the main executable and its launcher. Users are advised to check their registry, remove suspicious files, change passwords, and run a full system scan if they suspect installation of the malicious update. Safe updating practices include using the built-in Windows update feature and being cautious of phishing attempts. Indicators of compromise include specific file hashes, domains associated with the phishing campaign, and file system artifacts related to the malware's installation.

AppWizard

April 9, 2026

Bitchat Review: How Jack Dorsey’s Private Offline Messenger Works

Bitchat employs the Noise Protocol Framework, specifically the XX pattern, for encrypted and authenticated communication. The Android version uses X25519 for key exchange and AES-256-GCM for message encryption. Bitchat operates without a central infrastructure, phone numbers, or traditional accounts, which reduces data collection and risks of censorship and surveillance. The app relies on Bluetooth connectivity, requiring physical proximity between users, which can enhance security but may lead to device identification. Metadata about nearby devices and connection instances may still be retained. Bitchat has not yet undergone a comprehensive external security audit, raising concerns despite its focus on privacy and encryption.

Tech Optimizer

April 8, 2026

True enterprise sovereignty is more approachable than ever, thanks to K8s-powered cloud-neutral PostgreSQL

Discussions on digital sovereignty are shifting from infrastructure to databases, driven by geopolitical pressures in Europe. Hyperscalers like Amazon and Microsoft are investing heavily to comply with new regulations, prompting organizations to reconsider their reliance on managed cloud services. Many enterprises are now viewing PostgreSQL as a portable, cloud-neutral foundation to ensure consistent behavior across various environments, leading to interest in Sovereign DBaaS. Gabriele Bartolini, VP and Chief Architect of Kubernetes at EDB, emphasizes that true sovereignty starts with the database and that portability enhances negotiating leverage and compliance. Bartolini warns that while managed cloud services offer convenience, they often sacrifice control. He notes that transitioning away from these services can provide long-term leverage, as evidenced by Microsoft's encouragement for customers to run self-managed PostgreSQL. The Operator Pattern in Kubernetes enables better database management and lifecycle control, with CloudNativePG exemplifying this approach. Bartolini asserts that owning hardware allows organizations to better manage costs, especially for resource-intensive AI workloads, and that moving to bare metal can significantly enhance performance. A cultural shift is necessary for success, with DBAs needing to adapt to cloud-native environments. Bartolini encourages DBAs to develop a broader understanding of Kubernetes to enhance collaboration across teams. He warns that the database team cannot drive change alone and must align with the entire infrastructure direction to avoid dependency on proprietary tools that limit independence and innovation.