regulation Archives

Winsage

February 21, 2025

Microsoft trims File Explorer’s Recent, Favorites, and Recommended content in Europe

Microsoft has released the Windows 11 24H2 Preview Build 26120.3281 in the Dev and Beta channels. This update removes several features from File Explorer, including the Recent, Favorites, and Recommended content sections, as well as the Details Pane, to comply with the EU's GDPR. The change primarily affects Entra ID users in the European Economic Area. The update also addresses the Location API, previously used by Cortana, which is now deemed unnecessary following Cortana's discontinuation. Microsoft has not clarified whether location data will still be stored online. These updates are currently in Preview and may not be included in the final version. Past updates have caused issues, such as disrupting sound output and making File Explorer unusable.

Winsage

February 19, 2025

Microsoft declutters Windows 11 File Explorer for GDPR

Microsoft released the Windows 11 24H2 preview build, 26120.3281, in the Dev and Beta channels, marking the end of the Location History API and addressing European privacy regulations. The Location History feature, which allowed Cortana to access location data for up to 24 hours, has been removed, meaning location data will no longer be saved locally. Microsoft has also disabled account-based content in File Explorer for Entra IDs within the European Economic Area (EEA) to comply with privacy laws, affecting sections like Recent, Favorites, and Recommended content. Additionally, a new feature will allow users to resume OneDrive files from mobile devices to PCs with one click, but an upcoming change will delete all existing snapshots in Recall. There is no timeline for when these updates will be available to the general public.

Winsage

February 18, 2025

Windows 11 File Explorer UI drops cluttered content in EU due to privacy reasons

On February 14th, Microsoft released the Windows 11 24H2 Build 26120.3281 (KB5052086) update for the Dev and Beta Channels. A key change is the removal of organization-related content from the Recent, Recommended feed, and Favorites sections in File Explorer for users with Entra IDs in the European Economic Area (EEA), in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This means these users will no longer see account-based content in those sections. The update aims to streamline the user interface of File Explorer, focusing on local content and potentially improving performance. Users with Microsoft accounts will still have access to OneDrive-synced content. Additionally, Microsoft is rolling out a feature called ‘Resume,’ which will initially work with OneDrive and later expand to third-party services.

AppWizard

February 10, 2025

Steam doubles down on a 5-year-old rule to make it more visible: “Developers should not utilize paid advertising as a business model in their game”

Steam has updated the visibility of its policy regarding games that use paid advertising as a primary business model, which has been in place for at least five years. The policy targets games that rely on advertisements to provide value to players, which can negatively impact the gaming experience. By making this policy more prominent, Steam aims to discourage practices that require players to watch ads to engage with games.

AppWizard

February 8, 2025

TikTok enables U.S. Android users to download app via website

On February 7, TikTok announced that U.S. Android users can download and access the platform directly from its website. This decision is in response to legislation effective January 19, requiring TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, to divest ownership or face a potential ban due to national security concerns. Since the law's enactment, Apple and Google have not reinstated TikTok in their app stores. Former President Donald Trump is seeking a 75-day delay in enforcement, indicating possible negotiations for a sale of TikTok. TikTok has approximately 170 million users in the U.S. Trump signed an executive order for a sovereign wealth fund, which could facilitate TikTok's acquisition. U.S. officials are concerned about data misuse under ByteDance, while advocates for free speech oppose the ban. TikTok claims that U.S. officials have misrepresented its ties to China, stating that user data is stored on Oracle-operated servers in the U.S. and that content moderation is conducted domestically.

Winsage

February 5, 2025

Windows 11’s Start menu search gets new, clearer labels, as Microsoft tries to avoid EU regulation trouble

Microsoft is changing the search functionality in Windows 11 for users in the European Economic Area (EEA) to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA). The update will separate local search results from web-based results, which were previously combined in the Start menu search using Bing. The new Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27764 features two sections in the search window: “Windows” for local results and “Web search from Bing” for online queries. This change is particularly noticeable for users with their Windows 11 language set to German. The update is selectively rolled out in the EEA, indicating Microsoft may not implement similar changes globally. The aim is to improve user experience by reducing clutter and distractions from irrelevant web suggestions when searching for files or applications on the device.

AppWizard

December 24, 2024

Russian authorities reportedly weigh blocking messaging app calls

Russia's Digital Development Ministry and the federal censorship agency Roskomnadzor are considering changes to the regulation of voice calls through messaging apps to address rising fraud. They are evaluating a potential ban on such calls or restrictions on those originating from abroad, as around 40% of calls through these platforms are fraudulent, with 70% traced to foreign numbers. Telecom operators have expressed concerns about their inability to block these calls independently and are seeking collaboration with Roskomnadzor and messaging app developers. Roskomnadzor has the technological means to block calls if apps violate Russian law, but the Digital Development Ministry is not currently drafting regulations to restrict voice traffic on messaging apps and remains open to industry proposals.

AppWizard

December 14, 2024

Russia blocks Viber messenger

Russia's media regulatory authority, Roskomnadzor, has blocked the Viber messaging application due to violations of national law. The decision is based on Viber's alleged non-compliance with legal mandates regarding information dissemination, with concerns about its potential misuse for terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking. As of October, approximately 26% of the Russian population aged 12 and older used Viber, with 14% using it daily. Viber has faced previous legal challenges, including a fine of one million rubles imposed on June 20, 2023, for not removing false information related to the military operation, and an additional fine of 800,000 rubles on March 13, 2024, for publishing prohibited content.

BetaBeacon

December 13, 2024

Epic Games Store will be pre-installed on Telefónica phones running Android

The Epic Games Store will come pre-installed on compatible Android phones from the Telefónica network in Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, Mexico, and all Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America as part of a new partnership between the service provider and Epic Games.

Tech Optimizer

October 17, 2024

AWS Makes ETL Disappear for Aurora PostgreSQL, DynamoDB

Advanced cookie management solutions have been introduced to enhance user experience and ensure compliance with privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA. These solutions allow users to control their cookie settings, fostering transparency and trust. They empower users to make informed decisions about their online privacy and help organizations demonstrate commitment to data protection. The technology often includes algorithms that analyze user behavior for personalization and performance optimization. Preconnect links can be used to reduce loading times for cookie consent platforms, improving efficiency and user experience. Organizations prioritizing user privacy through these solutions can comply with legal requirements and build lasting relationships with audiences.