Privacy Policy Archives

AppWizard

July 22, 2025

Adidas x Minecraft 2025: New kids collection drops for back-to-school

Adidas has launched a collaboration with Minecraft, creating a collection of clothing and footwear for kids and juniors. The collection includes green and white sneakers with pixelated designs, black sweatshirts with green striped sleeves, Minecraft-themed graphic t-shirts, and backpacks featuring the Minecraft logo. Each item displays both the Adidas logo and Minecraft characters in a blocky style, characterized by bold colors and playful designs.

Tech Optimizer

July 9, 2025

Get protection suite for all your gear with Mcafee AV deal

McAfee Total Protection offers a one-year subscription for .99, providing security for up to five devices across Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android. It features award-winning antivirus software that uses a database of known threats and machine learning for real-time protection, along with a built-in firewall and web protection. The suite includes a VPN based on TunnelBear technology for encrypting internet traffic and masking online identity. It also features identity protection tools like a password manager, credit monitoring, and breach scans. The subscription is currently offered at an 88% discount from its regular price of 9.99. Prices may change, and the offer involves account registration with StackCommerce, which manages user information and provides a commission to BleepingComputer.com for sales.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

I Tried Signal, Telegram and WhatsApp, and This Is the One I’d Recommend

Telegram retains data necessary for its operations, including metadata like IP addresses. In 2024, the company updated its privacy policy to clarify that it can disclose IP addresses and phone numbers of rule violators to law enforcement upon valid legal requests. This resulted in Telegram fulfilling 900 information requests from U.S. authorities in 2024, affecting 2,253 individuals. Telegram has experienced data breaches, including a 2020 incident where 42 million Iranian users had their data compromised and a 2019 vulnerability exploited by Chinese agencies affecting protestor identities in Hong Kong. The platform allows users to create public channels for sharing content, but these channels are not end-to-end encrypted. Telegram offers secret chats that are end-to-end encrypted, but they are limited to the device of origin. The app allows for automatic message deletion, with a minimum interval of one day, and features a self-destruct option for accounts after a period of inactivity. Telegram's client applications are open-source, while its server-side code is closed-source. The company operates on a freemium model, offering a paid tier for enhanced features. Telegram is available for free download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

AppWizard

July 7, 2025

Google Gemini app gains automatic Android access to phone and messaging data

On July 7, 2025, Google Gemini app users experienced automatic activation of permissions for accessing phone calls, messaging services, WhatsApp, and system utilities on Android devices, following a privacy policy update on June 11, 2025. This change affects millions of users globally and allows user data to be reviewed by humans for AI training. Users can disable these permissions through the app's settings, but the option to opt-out is criticized for being difficult to find. Legal experts have raised concerns about compliance with GDPR regulations due to the lack of explicit user consent for these changes. The data collected supports machine-learning development and may be retained for up to three years, even after users delete their activity.

Tech Optimizer

June 28, 2025

We asked cybersecurity experts to build a privacy toolbox for $10 per month – here’s what they came up with, and more

In the digital landscape, online activities are monitored, leading to targeted advertising, scams, and privacy breaches. Individuals can enhance their digital security through various tools, including VPNs, antivirus software, password managers, secure browsers, encrypted messaging apps, and data removal services. VPNs protect internet traffic through encryption, with options like Mo Harber-Lamond at .91/month, Surfshark starting at .99/month, and ExpressVPN from .99/month. Antivirus software, such as Amber Bouman at .17/month, Norton 360 Deluxe from .17/month, and Malwarebytes Plus from .81/month, defends against malware and phishing. Password managers like Amber Bouman at .99/month, Bitwarden (free), and NordPass from .29/month help secure passwords. Secure browsers include George Phillips (free), Vivaldi (free), and Tor (free), which prioritize user privacy. Encrypted messaging apps like George Phillips (free), Session (free), and Threema (one-time payment) enhance communication security. Data removal services, such as Mo Harber-Lamond at .29/month, Optery from .99/month, and PrivacyBee from .99/month, help reduce personal data exposure. Budget-friendly options for privacy tools can be assembled for under /month, while premium bundles can cost around /month. The highest privacy-focused bundle totals /month, featuring Mullvad VPN, Proton Pass, Tor, and Session. Mobile privacy protection can be achieved for .01/month with NordVPN and Bitdefender Mobile Security. The Proton Unlimited bundle, priced at .99/month, offers an all-in-one solution with various encrypted services.

AppWizard

June 27, 2025

New subscribers can score June’s Humble Choice bundle for $7 right now

Starting June 27, new subscribers to Humble Choice can purchase June's bundle for a discounted price using the promo code JUNE25, saving .99 off the regular monthly price of .99. The bundle includes eight PC games: Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun, Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1&2 Remastered, Nobody Wants to Die, Dungeons of Hinterberg, Tchia, Sker Ritual, Biped, and Havendock, along with a one-month subscription to IGN Plus and Boot.dev. A Humble Choice membership also offers 20% off in the Humble store, and 5% of each membership fee supports The Trevor Project. Subscribers can skip a month or cancel at any time.

AppWizard

June 26, 2025

These Three Messaging Apps Are Encrypted, but One Stands Above the Rest

Telegram is a cloud-based messaging service that collects and retains metadata, including IP addresses. In 2024, Telegram updated its privacy policy to allow sharing of user data with law enforcement upon valid requests, leading to 900 information requests from U.S. authorities affecting 2,253 individuals. The platform has experienced data breaches, including a 2020 leak of data from approximately 42 million Iranian users and a 2019 incident involving the exposure of Hong Kong protestors' identities. Telegram supports public channels that lack end-to-end encryption, allowing anyone on the platform to view content. It offers secret chats with end-to-end encryption, but these can only be accessed on the user's device. The platform features an automatic message deletion option with a minimum interval of one day and a self-destruct feature for accounts, messages, and contacts after specified inactivity periods. Telegram's client applications are open-source, but the server-side code is closed-source. The company's cloud servers are encrypted, and encryption keys are stored across various jurisdictions. Telegram operates on a freemium model, providing additional features through a paid subscription while displaying ads in public channels with over 1,000 subscribers. The app is available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store at no cost.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

How to turn off AI in Windows and bring yourself some peace

Microsoft is integrating artificial intelligence across its product suite, including Microsoft Edge, Office, Notepad, and Paint. Users can disable or hide AI features, such as Copilot, by right-clicking its icon on the taskbar to unpin it, adjusting settings in the Copilot app, or uninstalling it through the Settings panel. Other AI features like Windows Recall and Click to Do can also be turned off in the Privacy & security section of Windows Settings. Notepad allows users to toggle off Copilot, but Paint currently does not have an option to remove the Copilot button. Users are advised to regularly check for options to disable unwanted AI functionalities.

Tech Optimizer

June 16, 2025

Norton Antivirus Review 2025: Solid Value for Fast, Effective Protection

Norton Antivirus has a score of 8.6 out of 10 and was established in 1982. The Norton 360 Deluxe package includes features such as real-time protection, manual and automated scans, the Genie Scam Detector, a password manager, and 2GB of cloud backups. It offers four plans: Norton Antivirus Plus, Norton 360 Standard, Norton 360 Deluxe, and Norton 360 with LifeLock Select Plus, each with varying identity protection features and cloud backup space. The installation process is user-friendly, and the software operates efficiently, using minimal CPU and disk space. Norton has maintained a perfect security ranking from AV-Test for over a decade but has experienced a data breach in the past five years. Customer support includes a knowledge base, community forum, and 24/7 live chat and phone support, with an overall customer support score of 8 out of 10. Norton’s pricing is competitive, particularly for higher-tier plans, resulting in a value ranking of 8 out of 10.

AppWizard

June 15, 2025

Crypto holders beware: these wallet apps look real but exist only to steal your assets instantly

Recent investigations by Cyble Research and Intelligence Labs (CRIL) have identified over 20 malicious applications on the Google Play Store that impersonate legitimate cryptocurrency wallet tools. These apps are designed to steal users' mnemonic phrases, which are essential for accessing crypto wallets. The applications utilize WebView technology to create fake login pages resembling those of well-known platforms, tricking users into providing sensitive information. Users are advised to activate Google Play Protect, use strong passwords, enable multi-factor authentication, and avoid entering sensitive information into unverified apps. A list of 22 fake apps includes: 1. Pancake Swap - Package: co.median.android.pkmxaj, Privacy Policy: hxxps://pancakefentfloyd.cz/privatepolicy.html 2. Suiet Wallet - Package: co.median.android.ljqjry, Privacy Policy: hxxps://suietsiz.cz/privatepolicy.html 3. Hyperliquid - Package: co.median.android.jroylx, Privacy Policy: hxxps://hyperliqw.sbs/privatepolicy.html 4. Raydium - Package: co.median.android.yakmje, Privacy Policy: hxxps://raydifloyd.cz/privatepolicy.html 5. Hyperliquid - Package: co.median.android.aaxblp, Privacy Policy: hxxps://hyperliqw.sbs/privatepolicy.html 6. BullX Crypto - Package: co.median.android.ozjwka, Privacy Policy: hxxps://bullxni.sbs/privatepolicy.html 7. OpenOcean Exchange - Package: co.median.android.ozjjkx, Privacy Policy: hxxps://openoceansi.sbs/privatepolicy.html 8. Suiet Wallet - Package: co.median.android.mpeaaw, Privacy Policy: hxxps://suietsiz.cz/privatepolicy.html 9. Meteora Exchange - Package: co.median.android.kbxqaj, Privacy Policy: hxxps://meteorafloydoverdose.sbs/privatepolicy.html 10. Raydium - Package: co.median.android.epwzyq, Privacy Policy: hxxps://raydifloyd.cz/privatepolicy.html 11. SushiSwap - Package: co.median.android.pkezyz, Privacy Policy: hxxps://sushijames.sbs/privatepolicy.html 12. Raydium - Package: co.median.android.pkzylr, Privacy Policy: hxxps://raydifloyd.cz/privatepolicy.html 13. SushiSwap - Package: co.median.android.brlljb, Privacy Policy: hxxps://sushijames.sbs/privatepolicy.html 14. Hyperliquid - Package: co.median.android.djerqq, Privacy Policy: hxxps://hyperliqw.sbs/privatepolicy.html 15. Suiet Wallet - Package: co.median.android.epeall, Privacy Policy: hxxps://suietwz.sbs/privatepolicy.html 16. BullX Crypto - Package: co.median.android.braqdy, Privacy Policy: hxxps://bullxni.sbs/privatepolicy.html 17. Harvest Finance blog - Package: co.median.android.ljmeob, Privacy Policy: hxxps://harvestfin.sbs/privatepolicy.html 18. Pancake Swap - Package: co.median.android.djrdyk, Privacy Policy: hxxps://pancakefentfloyd.cz/privatepolicy.html 19. Hyperliquid - Package: co.median.android.epbdbn, Privacy Policy: hxxps://hyperliqw.sbs/privatepolicy.html 20. Suiet Wallet - Package: co.median.android.noxmdz, Privacy Policy: hxxps://suietwz.sbs/privatepolicy.html 21. Raydium - Package: cryptoknowledge.rays, Privacy Policy: hxxps://www.termsfeed.com/live/a4ec5c75-145c-47b3-8b10-d43164f83bfc 22. PancakeSwap - Package: com.cryptoknowledge.quizzz, Privacy Policy: hxxps://www.termsfeed.com/live/a4ec5c75-145c-47b3-8b10-d43164f83bfc