predators Archives

AppWizard

May 9, 2026

Instagram Loses End-To-End Message Encryption Today; What It Means For You

Instagram has discontinued its end-to-end encryption (e2ee) feature for direct messages, which previously allowed users to communicate securely without interception. All direct messages will now be protected by standard encryption, allowing potential access by service or network providers. Meta, Instagram's parent company, cited low usage rates for this change, which was communicated in March. Privacy advocates have raised concerns about user communications being shared with law enforcement and for AI training purposes, although Meta clarified it does not use private messages for AI purposes. Users seeking privacy can switch to WhatsApp or the standalone Messenger app, which still support e2ee. Meta has also advised users who had e2ee enabled to download their chat histories and media before the feature is fully retired.

AppWizard

April 23, 2026

Australian Government Demands to Know What Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Steam are Doing to Prevent Grooming, Radicalisation

The Australian Government's eSafety office has requested major gaming platforms, including Roblox, Microsoft, Epic, and Valve, to provide details on their measures to prevent child grooming and extremist content. The eSafety office has issued legally enforceable transparency notices due to concerns that platforms like Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite, and Steam may be exploited by predators and extremist groups. Approximately 90% of children aged 8 to 17 in Australia engage with online games, highlighting the need for protective measures. Reports indicate that these platforms have been associated with grooming incidents and extremist themes, including games inspired by the Islamic State and depictions of mass shootings. Non-compliance with the transparency notice could result in penalties of AUD5,000 per day. In response, Roblox has committed to safety initiatives, including AI technology to review content and plans for age-based accounts to enhance user safety.

AppWizard

February 24, 2026

Meta executive called Facebook Messenger encryption plan irresponsible court filing shows

Meta is implementing end-to-end encryption across its messaging services for Facebook and Instagram despite internal warnings about potential risks to child safety. Internal documents reveal that executives, including Monika Bickert, expressed concerns that the encryption would hinder the company's ability to report child exploitation incidents to law enforcement. A lawsuit filed by New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez accuses Meta of enabling predators to access underage users, leading to potential abuse and human trafficking. The New Mexico case is notable as it is the first against Meta to reach a jury amid heightened scrutiny regarding the safety of young users. Over 40 attorneys general are also pursuing claims that Meta's products contribute to youth mental health issues, and various school districts have filed lawsuits. Internal communications indicated that senior safety executives were worried about the implications of encryption, predicting a significant drop in reporting child exploitation cases. A briefing document from February 2019 estimated that child exploitation reporting would decrease by 65% if Messenger were encrypted. In response to these concerns, Meta spokesperson Andy Stone stated that the apprehensions from 2019 led to the development of additional safety features prior to the launch of encrypted messaging in 2023, including special accounts for underage users to protect them from adult contacts they do not know.

AppWizard

February 24, 2026

Local school district files civil complaint against Roblox, Microsoft and creator of Minecraft

The Champion Local School District has filed a civil complaint against gaming companies Roblox, Mojang AB, and Microsoft in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. The lawsuit claims these companies contribute to a mental health crisis among children by designing addictive video games that utilize operant conditioning to encourage prolonged gameplay. The district alleges that this addiction leads to increased anxiety, depression, declining academic performance, chronic absenteeism, and worsened ADHD symptoms among students. The district has had to hire counselors and implement measures to address video game addiction. The lawsuit also criticizes the companies' marketing strategies for portraying their products as educational while allowing access to younger players than recommended. The district is seeking a jury trial, damages, court costs, and attorney fees. The defendants have not yet responded to the allegations.

AppWizard

December 28, 2025

A game about giant, helpless teddy bears fleeing a dying world may be a bit on the nose right now, but it’s also my favorite game of 2025

Herdling, developed by Okomotive, is a light puzzle adventure game that focuses on nurturing rather than violence. Players guide a calicorn, a majestic creature, through a world affected by neglect, emphasizing themes of life, hope, and companionship. The gameplay involves herding the calicorns through various landscapes while facing challenges that require strategic thinking. The bond between the player and the calicorns creates a sense of responsibility, and players must navigate obstacles while maintaining the creatures' trust and safety. The game features simple mechanics, artistic design, and atmospheric soundscapes, fostering emotional engagement and empathy.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

10 Best Dinosaur Mods in Minecraft

DragN’s Deadly Dinos introduces over fifty dinosaurs and ancient creatures, focusing on survival challenges. Jurassic World Craft allows players to engage in DNA processing and manage high-tech labs to create a Jurassic-style park. MineJurassic features fossil gathering and DNA processing to create cinematic dinosaurs. De-Extinction emphasizes scientific research to resurrect extinct species using DNA strings and editing machines. Prehistoric World offers a realistic portrayal of prehistoric animals in their natural biomes. Unusual Prehistory focuses on lesser-known ancient creatures, allowing players to revive them and craft new weapons. AlternaCraft presents over twenty iconic prehistoric beasts and allows for custom enclosures. Fossils and Archeology: Revival combines paleontology and genetics, enabling players to excavate fossils and create embryos of ancient creatures. The Dawn Era features fifteen detailed dinosaurs that can be tamed and ridden. Pelagic Prehistory introduces ancient marine life into Minecraft's oceans. Many of these mods can be compatible, but some may conflict, and certain mods require Forge for installation. For a Jurassic Park-style build, mods like Jurassic World Craft, MineJurassic, or Fossils and Archeology: Revival are recommended.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

SRS #255 Ryan Montgomery – Roblox & Minecraft: Hacker Exposes the Larg

Ryan Montgomery is a leading ethical hacker and penetration tester, ranked #1 on TryHackMe's Capture The Flag leaderboard. He is the founder of Pentester, a cybersecurity platform in Boca Raton, Florida, providing tools for vulnerability scanning, data breach detection, and risk mitigation. As Chief Technology Officer of the Sentinel Foundation, he collaborates with law enforcement to combat child exploitation and human trafficking, often infiltrating dark web sites to expose predators. Montgomery has over 19 years of experience in cybersecurity, focusing on ethical hacking, data protection, and online safety. His work aims to protect vulnerable populations and dismantle predatory networks.

AppWizard

November 8, 2025

‘Roblox must do more to protect kids from sick and twisted freaks,’ Texas attorney general says as he sues Roblox ‘for putting pixel pedophiles and profits’ ahead of kids

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Roblox, alleging that the company has violated state and federal online safety laws and misled parents about the dangers of its platform. The lawsuit claims Roblox has marketed itself as a safe platform for children while allowing inappropriate content and predatory behavior. It also accuses Roblox of promoting compulsive purchases through its in-game currency, Robux. The lawsuit references similar legal actions from Louisiana and Kentucky and a criminal investigation in Florida regarding disturbing content on Roblox. In response, Roblox has rejected the claims and highlighted its safety measures, including a "Safety Snapshot" update and partnerships aimed at enhancing child safety online. The company asserts that its safety protocols are more stringent than those of many other platforms and expresses disappointment over the decision to pursue litigation instead of collaboration.

AppWizard

October 30, 2025

Underwater multiplayer survival game Anchor will swim onto PC

Fearem has announced Anchor, an underwater survival crafting game for PC that supports over 150 players per server in a persistent online open-world environment. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity lives underwater after a nuclear holocaust, players are genetically engineered beings who must build, defend, and fight for their homes while facing environmental dangers and other players. The game features custom networking technology that allows the world to evolve even when players are offline. Anchor's 16km² open-world map includes various biomes and encourages exploration, resource gathering, and community building. Players can choose to engage in multiplayer or a solo/cooperative sandbox mode without PvP threats. Key features include a dynamic ecosystem with apex predators like sharks, and an advanced crafting system that allows players to create tools and weapons from gathered resources. Anchor is set to launch on Windows PC via Steam.

AppWizard

October 28, 2025

Terrifying new survival game is a bit Rust, a bit Subnautica, and absolutely full of sharks

Anchor is a survival game developed by Fearem, set in a post-apocalyptic ocean environment where players compete for resources against each other and sharks. The game supports up to 150 players on a single server and features crafting, base building, and underwater combat. Players have undergone genetic modifications to adapt to their surroundings, while sharks possess a keen sense of smell to detect blood. The game map spans 16 square kilometers, promoting exploration and strategic gameplay. Anchor does not have a confirmed release date but can be added to wishlists on Steam.