Saudi Arabia Archives

AppWizard

November 17, 2025

You Can’t Delete This Samsung App—And It Might Be Spying on You

Samsung faces criticism for allegations that certain budget-friendly Galaxy A and M smartphones are preloaded with unremovable spyware, particularly affecting users in the Middle East and North Africa. The Lebanese digital rights organization SMEX has highlighted a pre-installed application called AppCloud on some Galaxy A and M devices sold in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt. AppCloud, developed by ironSource, collects sensitive user data without explicit consent during device setup and is difficult to uninstall, often reinstalling after a device reset. Concerns have been raised about its potential use for surveillance and targeted cyberattacks, especially in politically sensitive areas. SMEX has called for increased transparency from Samsung, which has not yet responded. Independent research validating these claims about AppCloud's impact on privacy is currently lacking.

AppWizard

November 7, 2025

Mass Effect boss Mike Gamble slips a hidden message into his N7 Day update, asks fans to stop yelling at him for not sharing more info about the new game

BioWare is currently developing the next installment of the Mass Effect franchise, as confirmed by executive producer Michael Gamble. He addressed community speculation and reassured fans of EA and BioWare's commitment to the series. There are hints of potential multiplayer features being considered for the Mass Effect Legendary Edition, although this was previously dismissed due to concerns over effort versus reward. Gamble shared a cryptic image related to a "future" event, generating further excitement among fans. He acknowledged the frustration some fans feel over the lack of concrete information but emphasized that the team is focused on the next chapter of Mass Effect. Additionally, an upcoming Mass Effect television series is in development by Amazon, which will feature a new narrative rather than revisiting Commander Shepard's storyline.

AppWizard

October 30, 2025

CWA president urges regulators scrutinise EA Saudi deal

Claude Cummings Jr., president of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union, has requested a thorough investigation by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) regarding the proposed acquisition of Electronic Arts (EA) by a consortium of investors primarily funded by Saudi Arabia. He expressed concerns about job security for thousands in the gaming industry and the potential impact on market dynamics, urging regulators to evaluate how the acquisition could affect EA's market power and wage-setting authority. The acquisition would transition EA to private ownership under investors including the Saudi Public Investment Fund. The CWA previously supported the acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft after negotiating a labor neutrality agreement.

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.

AppWizard

October 10, 2025

Battlefield 6 takes just an hour to leave Call of Duty’s Steam peak in the dust

Battlefield 6 has surpassed 700,000 active users on Steam within its first hour of release, exceeding its peak beta player count of 521,000. This achievement outstrips the previous high of nearly half a million players recorded by Call of Duty on Steam. The game has received positive reviews for its multiplayer experience, despite some criticism of its campaign. Players are currently experiencing server queues, but the transition into gameplay is efficient. Additionally, Battlefield Studios and publisher EA are moving to go private in a billion-dollar deal involving a consortium that includes Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners.

AppWizard

September 15, 2025

Google Pay Launches in Saudi Arabia, Enabling Simple and Secure Payments for Users

Google has launched Google Pay and Google Wallet in Saudi Arabia, enabling users to conduct transactions using Android devices through the national payment system, mada. The service will be available to all users in the coming weeks. Google Pay features 'Tap to Pay' for quick transactions at retail locations and will soon allow payments within apps and on the web. It integrates mada cards and major credit cards like Visa and Mastercard. Security is enhanced through tokenization, using unique virtual card numbers and dynamic security codes for each transaction. Google Wallet also allows users to store digital items such as loyalty cards and tickets. Currently, Google Pay is available for customers of Al Rajhi Bank and Riyad Bank, with plans for expansion to more banks. Google Wallet can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.

Tech Optimizer

September 15, 2025

Antivirus Software Market Size Unlocking New Opportunities for Success

The global antivirus software market is valued at approximately USD 4.0 to 4.7 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to around USD 11.0 billion by 2033, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 8.5% from 2024 to 2033. The market is driven by increasing cyber threats, the rise of internet and device penetration, and the demand for advanced protection solutions. Key players in the market include NortonLifeLock, McAfee, Kaspersky, Bitdefender, Avast, Trend Micro, ESET, and Sophos. The market can be segmented into cloud-based and on-premises antivirus solutions, and applications include individual consumers, small and medium enterprises, and large enterprises. The report provides insights into regional growth, competitive landscape, and market dynamics, with customization options available for specific requirements.

AppWizard

September 12, 2025

Ubisoft staff push back against Saudi dealings

Workers at Ubisoft have expressed concerns about the company's engagement with Saudi Arabia, particularly following a meeting between Ubisoft executives and Saudi leaders, including Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, in December 2024. This meeting coincided with the announcement of a new expansion for the game Assassin's Creed Mirage, set in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, which is financially supported by the Saudi government. Employees raised issues regarding Saudi Arabia's human rights record and questioned the implications of pursuing contracts with individuals accused of serious offenses, such as the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In response, Ubisoft's management stated that the involvement of executives in diplomatic efforts is aimed at enhancing France's global influence and promoting democratic values, while also framing their actions as part of cultivating France's 'soft power.' They concluded by stating, "We do not comment on rumors."

AppWizard

September 11, 2025

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot wants to “predominantly push” multiplayer in future Far Cry games

Ubisoft's CEO, Yves Guillemot, announced a shift in focus for the Far Cry franchise towards a stronger emphasis on multiplayer experiences. He expressed the ambition to make multiplayer aspects more prominent, allowing for extended play by players. This change comes despite the franchise's history of limited multiplayer features and the mixed reception of live-service models in recent years. Speculations suggest potential returns to cooperative campaigns, revival of PvP modes, or the introduction of a sandbox environment for player interactions. There is currently no confirmed release year for the next installment, Far Cry 7.

Winsage

August 19, 2025

Ransomware gang masking PipeMagic backdoor as ChatGPT desktop app: Microsoft

Microsoft has identified a sophisticated malware called PipeMagic, disguised as a ChatGPT desktop application, linked to the threat actor Storm-2460, who is preparing for ransomware attacks. This malware exploits a zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2025-29824) affecting the Windows Common Log File System Driver (CFLS), first disclosed in April. PipeMagic has targeted sectors such as information technology, financial, and real estate across the U.S., Europe, South America, and the Middle East. It emerged in 2022 during attacks on Asian entities and resurfaced in September 2024. Victims see a blank screen upon opening the malicious application, complicating detection. Hackers modified an open-source ChatGPT project to embed malicious code that activates the malware, allowing privilege escalation and ransomware deployment. Kaspersky reported that PipeMagic was used in a RansomExx ransomware campaign, and Symantec noted its exploitation by the Play ransomware group.