petition Archives

BetaBeacon

October 30, 2025

Google Play injunction can “transform Android game economics”

- An injunction placed on Google Play in the US allows for alternative payments and anti-steering measures until November 1st, 2027. - This ruling follows the Epic Games vs. Google case and enables developers to use their own payment systems with lower fees. - The change is seen as a major shift for mobile developers in the US, empowering them to deepen relationships with players and experiment with new monetization models. - Google may be making business model changes to preserve user trust and safety in the ecosystem.

AppWizard

October 17, 2025

Saudi Arabia’s acquisition of Electronic Arts faces pushback from game developers, petition calls on FTC to ‘scrutinize this deal closely’

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, along with private equity firms, is acquiring Electronic Arts (EA) for a billion dollars, facing significant resistance from the United Videogame Workers-CWA union. The union has urged regulators to prioritize job protection, creative freedom, and accountability in decision-making. EA, with annual revenues of .5 billion and profits of billion, is not in distress, but concerns have been raised about potential layoffs, particularly at BioWare, a studio known for its progressive narrative approach. The union warned that job losses would be a choice made for investor profit rather than necessity. U.S. senators Richard Blumenthal and Elizabeth Warren have expressed concerns about national security risks related to the acquisition, but regulatory intervention seems unlikely due to a shift in the FTC's stance and the involvement of Jared Kushner in the deal. The union has initiated a petition to prompt regulatory examination of the acquisition.

AppWizard

October 14, 2025

Supreme Court rejects lady doctor’s claim that access to WhatsApp is fundamental right; suggests can use Zoho’s Arattai app – The Times of India

The Supreme Court of India ruled that access to private digital platforms like WhatsApp is not a constitutionally guaranteed right. Users must adhere to the terms of service of these private entities, and the court dismissed arguments claiming violation of free speech, suggesting such issues should be addressed through regulatory or civil channels. Dr. Raman Kundra sought restoration of her WhatsApp account for professional and personal use but was advised to consider alternatives like the Arattai app, which has gained significant traction in India. Launched in 2021, Arattai briefly surpassed competitors in app store rankings and is positioned as a "spyware-free, made-in-India messenger," endorsed by government officials. It offers features such as one-to-one and group chats, audio and video calls with end-to-end encryption, multi-device support, and broadcasting capabilities.

Winsage

September 24, 2025

Microsoft Extends Free Windows 10 Security Updates

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14. To address user concerns, it will offer European users free security updates for an additional year if they log in with a Microsoft account. In the U.S., users can upload their Windows 10 profiles to Microsoft’s backup service for free updates, pay for an extension, or redeem Microsoft Rewards points. Advocacy groups in Europe are calling for further concessions, with a petition for free updates until 2030. As of August 2025, approximately 650 million people worldwide were still using Windows 10.

Winsage

September 23, 2025

Sunset for Windows 10 updates leaves users in a bind

On October 14, Microsoft will stop providing updates for Windows 10, which has been essential for security and functionality since its release in 2015. Users are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 11, but many devices may not be compatible. Microsoft is offering a one-year extension of security updates for Windows 10 at a cost. Approximately 650 million users were still using Windows 10 as of August, with up to 400 million computers potentially unable to upgrade to Windows 11. Without updates, users will be more vulnerable to cyberattacks and may face difficulties installing new third-party software. Alternatives include using antivirus software temporarily or switching to an open-source operating system like Linux.

Winsage

September 6, 2025

Microsoft’s $7B Windows 10 lifeline is here

Microsoft will discontinue support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, prompting user discontent due to upgrade difficulties to Windows 11. A public interest group, PIRG, has petitioned Microsoft to reconsider this decision. Microsoft has extended a 12-month lifeline through its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which users can access by syncing their PC settings to the cloud or redeeming 1,000 Microsoft Reward points. The ESU program is being rolled out in phases, and Microsoft assures all users will have access before the end-of-life date. Approximately half of all PCs currently run on Windows 10, with many expected to continue beyond the support deadline. Businesses staying on Windows 10 post-deadline will incur fees for ESU assistance, which will double each year. Nexthink estimates Microsoft could generate up to .3 billion from the ESU program, particularly from enterprise users. Around 30% of the 1.4 billion PCs running Windows belong to public entities or enterprises.

AppWizard

September 3, 2025

The Crew is set to spring back to life as fan-made server emulator project prepares to launch later this month

The Crew, Ubisoft's street racing game, became unplayable on April 1, 2024, after Ubisoft revoked game licenses and shut down servers. A group of fans is developing The Crew Unlimited, a custom server emulator, which is nearing completion with a launch date set for September 15. The emulator is currently feature complete and will allow players to join if they own a legitimate copy of The Crew. Modding will be supported in offline modes, while online play will be limited to cosmetic changes. Ubisoft has historically taken legal action against fan projects, but following backlash over The Crew's shutdown, the company has indicated a desire to avoid similar actions in the future. The Crew Unlimited website expresses gratitude to Ubisoft, suggesting a potential understanding between the two parties.

Winsage

September 2, 2025

Love Windows, hate the rules? Try this Linux distro instead.

Microsoft's end of support for Windows 10 is set for October 14, 2025. Windows 11's market share has decreased by 4% to 49.08%, while Windows 10's market share has increased by 2.65% to 45.53%. Microsoft has introduced the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for users wishing to continue using Windows 10 after support ends. Users have reported access issues but Microsoft assures enrollment will be available before the end date. Windows 11 has struggled with adoption due to strict system requirements and design flaws, prompting aggressive marketing tactics from Microsoft. An alternative, Windows Theme Over Linux (WINUX), has been updated to mimic Windows 10 and 11, requiring minimal hardware (2GB RAM and a dual-core 64-bit CPU) and offering up to five years of free updates. Advocacy groups are encouraging users to explore Linux alternatives, citing benefits like the absence of intrusive ads and telemetry tracking. Critics view Microsoft's extended support as a temporary solution rather than a sustainable fix.

AppWizard

August 15, 2025

Arkane STJV members demand Microsoft halt support for Israel

Members of Arkane Studios, part of the French union STJV, have called on Microsoft to stop its support for Israel, aligning with the Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS) movement and the No Azure for Apartheid campaign advocating for Palestinian rights. The BDS movement, established in 2005, aims to discourage corporate engagement with Israel, particularly following Microsoft's services to the Israeli military. Over 2,000 employees from Microsoft's gaming division signed a petition against the company's support for Israel. The STJV expressed that Microsoft should not be complicit in what they termed a genocide and emphasized the responsibility of tech workers to ensure their technologies do not facilitate oppression. They also raised concerns about the impact of Microsoft's actions on the viability of Xbox Games and their job security.

AppWizard

July 23, 2025

Stop Killing Games is facing a complaint in the EU that uses nonsense logic to accuse the movement’s founder of failing to disclose financial contributions he never made: ‘It’s not paranoia if they really are out to get you’

The Stop Killing Games movement has gathered 1.4 million signatures for its European Citizens' Initiative (ECI), which seeks to ensure that games can operate on customer systems after official support ends. If validated, the European Commission must consider the proposal. However, an anonymous complaint has been filed alleging "systemic concealment of major contributions" by the campaign's founder, Ross Scott, who reportedly has not disclosed significant professional contributions valued between €63,000 and €147,000. Scott argues that EU regulations do not require reporting of non-financial support from volunteers. The trade association Video Games Europe has expressed concerns that the initiative could hinder developers' creative choices. The petition deadline is July 31.