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Kakao's update woes
AppWizard
October 1, 2025

Kakao’s update woes

KakaoTalk has retracted its first significant update in 15 years due to user dissatisfaction. The update changed the Friends tab from an alphabetical listing to a grid-style feed, aiming to enhance user engagement and advertising opportunities. Following backlash, Kakao Corp. will revert to the original list-style format for the Friends tab and move the feed-style posts to a separate section. Critics noted a lack of user feedback in the update's planning, raising concerns about user privacy and Kakao's decision-making processes. The update negatively impacted Kakao's stock prices, which have been declining since September 23. Kakao, founded in 2010, now has over 124 affiliates and is facing scrutiny for its expansion strategies. The company plans to implement the rollback by the end of the year.
Kakao rolls back KakaoTalk revamp amid user complaints
AppWizard
September 29, 2025

Kakao rolls back KakaoTalk revamp amid user complaints

Kakao Corp. will revert part of the redesign of its KakaoTalk messenger in response to user complaints about the new feed-style interface, which many users felt compromised their privacy. The "friends" tab will return to its previous format, allowing users to choose between old and new display styles. The redesign was the most extensive in 15 years, but received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with users stating it made the app resemble Instagram. A dual-display feature will be implemented in a technical update expected in the fourth quarter. Additionally, Kakao is enhancing safety features for minors using its short-form video function. Following these announcements, Kakao's shares closed at 60,300 won, marking a 1.69 percent increase.
Officials in North Ossetia ordered to use Russian Max messaging app
AppWizard
August 14, 2025

Officials in North Ossetia ordered to use Russian Max messaging app

Officials in North Ossetia are required to use the Russian messaging app Max for all official communications, as mandated by Daniil Gakhov, head of the region's Digital Development Committee. This directive is part of a federal initiative promoting 'digital sovereignty' in Russia and follows restrictions on platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp. A working group has been formed under regional head Sergei Menyailo to facilitate Max's integration into government operations, with communications to foreign services restricted to this domestic app due to national security concerns. President Vladimir Putin has called for increased use of Max within government frameworks. A new law aims to streamline domestic digital services and create a unified national information exchange service. Users have reported disruptions in established platforms, with selective blocking being tested by telecom operators. The introduction of Max has raised skepticism, especially regarding user data access by state authorities. Meanwhile, residents of Ingushetia are experiencing mobile data outages affecting essential services.
WhatsApp has stopped working
AppWizard
February 28, 2025

WhatsApp has stopped working

WhatsApp experienced a significant outage on Friday afternoon, starting around 4 PM UK time, which affected users globally and prevented them from sending or receiving messages. The outage was tracked by Down Detector, which noted a sharp increase in reports. The service was restored shortly thereafter, allowing users to resume conversations. The incident prompted frustration among users on social media and highlighted the reliance on digital communication platforms.
WhatsApp & Messenger global outage
AppWizard
February 28, 2025

WhatsApp & Messenger global outage

On Friday, WhatsApp and Messenger experienced a significant outage, preventing millions of users from sending or receiving messages and disrupting voice and video calls. Both mobile and desktop versions of the applications were affected, leading to difficulties in logging into accounts. This incident is reminiscent of a similar outage on December 11, 2024, when Meta acknowledged technical problems with its platforms.
WhatsApp Outage: Global Users Face Issues with Messaging App on Web
AppWizard
November 25, 2024

WhatsApp Outage: Global Users Face Issues with Messaging App on Web

WhatsApp users globally are experiencing significant disruptions, particularly with WhatsApp Web, affecting both personal and business accounts. Approximately 57% of users report issues with WhatsApp Web, while 35% face problems with the mobile app. Users are expressing frustration on social media, and there has been no response from Meta regarding the cause of the disruptions.
How Do Californians Use Messaging Apps
AppWizard
November 11, 2024

How Do Californians Use Messaging Apps

Messaging apps are essential for personal and professional communication in California. WhatsApp, with 2.7 billion global users, is popular for its free messaging, voice, and video calling, especially among immigrants due to its end-to-end encryption. Telegram has 950 million monthly active users and is favored for its security features, large group chats, and file-sharing capabilities; it is also used by online casino gamers for anonymous gaming and integrated bots. iMessage, with 1.3 billion global users, is preferred by Apple users for its seamless integration and security features. Facebook Messenger has over 1 billion users and is widely used for casual conversations and customer service, aided by automated chatbots and payment functionalities. Signal, with over 40 million monthly active users, is chosen for its strong privacy features, appealing to journalists and activists.
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