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"Data centres have become integral to our lives" — Microsoft plans to push ahead with data center despite protests
Winsage
September 17, 2026

“Data centres have become integral to our lives” — Microsoft plans to push ahead with data center despite protests

Microsoft plans to submit proposals for a data center in Slough, England, potentially as early as autumn. This follows a consultation with local residents, during which Microsoft highlighted the importance of data centers in modern life. A petition opposing the construction has gained significant support, and hundreds of protesters gathered at the proposed site, expressing concerns about environmental impacts, including noise pollution. Microsoft has received approval for a similar project from Leeds City Council, but the decision for the Slough data center will be made by Chief Planning Officer Martin Elliot, who will consider community feedback.
The next PlayStation looks more and more like a PC, and that's not a bad thing
AppWizard
July 10, 2026

The next PlayStation looks more and more like a PC, and that’s not a bad thing

Sony has announced it will cease physical disc production by January 2028. A petition to reverse this decision has garnered over 200,000 signatures. A nostalgic video from PlayStation's YouTube channel has resurfaced, reflecting gamers' emotional connection to physical media. Concerns about long-term ownership of digital content have been raised, particularly after reports of purchased titles being removed from users' libraries. The trend towards digital gaming is evident, with some gamers opting for the PS5 Digital Edition for convenience. The shift may impact local retailers and the second-hand market, as well as the experiences of trading or renting games. Limited edition physical disc releases and optional disc drives for future consoles could provide a compromise for both digital and physical media enthusiasts.
Meta pauses controversial employee-tracking program after security review
Tech Optimizer
June 23, 2026

Meta pauses controversial employee-tracking program after security review

Meta has suspended its employee-tracking program after an internal security review revealed excessive accessibility to sensitive data collected from staff laptops. The program, part of the Model Capability Initiative (MCI), aimed to gather detailed information on employee interactions with work devices, including mouse movements, click locations, keystrokes, and screen content. Concerns arose regarding the privacy and security of the collected data, which included AI prompts, transcriptions, private conversations, and performance-related information. The initiative faced backlash, particularly after an engineer criticized "laptop surveillance," leading to a petition for its termination. The monitoring software was deployed on US workers’ laptops without an opt-out option, capturing comprehensive behavioral datasets. The situation highlighted significant legal and regulatory challenges, as well as the risks associated with managing sensitive data. Access controls, data minimization, and retention policies are critical to mitigate potential breaches.
Мосгорсуд закрыл доступ к советской киноклассике на торент-треккере
TrendTechie
May 20, 2026

Мосгорсуд закрыл доступ к советской киноклассике на торент-треккере

The Moscow City Court has ruled against the unauthorized distribution of nearly one hundred Soviet films, following a request from Mosfilm. The ruling targets the torrent tracker torrentino.com, and Mosfilm has 15 days to file a formal lawsuit for a permanent ban on the pirated content. If they do not file, the temporary protective measures will be lifted. The affected films include 94 titles, such as "War and Peace," "The Irony of Fate," and "Solaris." This action follows a prior ruling that blocked access to four Soviet films on rutor.org.
In France they "buried" Windows 10 at the Microsoft office
Winsage
April 25, 2026

In France they “buried” Windows 10 at the Microsoft office

On April 24, a protest organized by environmental and consumer advocacy groups took place outside the Microsoft France office in Paris to oppose the company's decision to discontinue support for the Windows 10 operating system. Activists claim this could lead to the obsolescence of approximately 300 million computers worldwide, resulting in 58 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions and significant depletion of raw materials. Consumers may face an average cost of €600 for new devices if they upgrade. Experts warn users must choose between expensive new hardware or risking financial fraud due to lack of security updates. The organization Halte à l'Obsolescence Programmée is gathering signatures for a petition advocating for a mandatory 15-year software support period. Public advocacy previously convinced Microsoft to extend its software update releases by an additional 12 months. The protest aims to raise awareness and apply pressure until the end of October.
Copilot is gone from Windows 11, but here's why this isn't the win it sounds like
Winsage
April 13, 2026

Copilot is gone from Windows 11, but here’s why this isn’t the win it sounds like

Major tech companies, including Microsoft, are integrating artificial intelligence into their products. Microsoft has embedded its AI tool, Copilot, into various applications but is now retracting it from some, including Notepad, due to user backlash. Users have expressed dissatisfaction with Copilot's integration, leading to a petition against its use in basic applications. In response, Microsoft plans to reduce unnecessary Copilot integrations while maintaining some AI functionalities through a new Writing Tools menu. Users can also disable AI features in applications like Notepad by adjusting settings.
F-Droid says Google's Android developer verification plan is an 'existential' threat to alternative app stores
AppWizard
March 13, 2026

F-Droid says Google’s Android developer verification plan is an ‘existential’ threat to alternative app stores

Developers distributing apps outside of Google's Play Store will be required to register with Google in certain countries starting in September, with plans for global expansion by 2027. This policy aims to enhance security by removing anonymity from developers but comes with a registration fee and the need for government identification. F-Droid, an open-source app repository, has raised concerns that this policy could threaten its existence by mandating a single signature for all apps. F-Droid initiated a public campaign against these changes, garnering support from various organizations. Despite some interest from regulators, progress is slow, and there are fears that Google's verification program may be implemented before any regulatory action occurs. F-Droid encourages developers to avoid signing up for the early access program and has launched a petition to voice concerns.
Google Play injunction can "transform Android game economics"
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.
Saudi Arabia's acquisition of Electronic Arts faces pushback from game developers, petition calls on FTC to 'scrutinize this deal closely'
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.
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