- Roblox crashes right when a game finishes loading
- Your phone has been warning you it’s “low on storage” lately
- Other apps are also acting sluggish or failing to update
Windscribe has developed an open-source script called deGDID to remove Microsoft's Global Device Identifier (GDID) from Windows systems. The script functions as a firewall against the DeviceAdd endpoint, preventing Microsoft identity services from recognizing the machine as registered. It includes a flag, -Unprotect, to restore default settings if needed. Testing on a Windows 11 machine confirmed its effectiveness, with the -Status flag showing cached identifiers before removal. The tool is compatible with antivirus and endpoint protection but has limitations: it cannot delete keys stored on Microsoft's servers, cannot run on managed systems or domain-joined accounts, and Windows does not provide a built-in method to disable GDID. The identifier persists across IP addresses, regardless of VPN use. Windscribe notes that the script may disrupt certain Microsoft account functionalities, making it a partial solution rather than a comprehensive fix.
Microsoft's Global Device Identifier (GDID) is an internal marker that uniquely identifies each Windows installation across Microsoft services. It is a persistent device-level identifier that remains constant across supported services, and there is no option to disable or regenerate it manually. Windscribe has developed a free utility called deGDID to permanently remove the GDID from Windows systems and prevent its recreation. This tool operates by blocking Microsoft registration pathways and wiping local GDID-related states without altering system files. While it can remove the GDID from the local system, it cannot erase historical records linked to the device. Windscribe provides instructions for using the tool, which is compatible with Windows 10 version 22H2 and all versions of Windows 11 from 21H2 to 25H2. Users should be aware that disabling GDID generation may impact Microsoft services that rely on device identification, but the tool includes an undo feature to revert changes.
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands is receiving a free update for next-generation consoles, now available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. This update enhances the game with 4K resolution at 60 frames per second and reduced loading times. PlayStation 5 users will benefit from DualSense controller features, while Xbox users will have Dolby Atmos support. A new mission titled ‘Last Rites’ will be introduced, set in a darker version of Bolivia. The game will be available for free play from August 6 to August 10, 2026. Initially, it received mixed reviews, with a Metacritic score of 70 from critics and 6.6 from users, but improvements have been made since its troubled launch. Ghost Recon Wildlands is available on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
Governments are finding it harder to suppress protests through internet shutdowns due to the use of offline messaging applications. Bitchat, an app launched in 2025 by Jack Dorsey, allows devices to communicate via Bluetooth without internet access and gained popularity during recent student protests in New Delhi amid an internet blackout. The Indian government attempted to block access to Bitchat's source code on GitHub, marking a notable first instance of trying to geoblock an open-source repository. On July 26, Bitchat had 430,000 daily active users in India, with 74% of global downloads occurring in the country from July 20 to July 26. The app has been used in various protests globally, including those in Hong Kong, Myanmar, Nepal, Uganda, Madagascar, and Iran. On July 23, the Indian government ordered GitHub to disable access to three Bitchat repositories in India quickly. Jack Dorsey expressed concerns about the Indian government's stance on Bitchat, while digital rights advocates criticized the government's actions as unnecessary. The repositories remained accessible in India and were mirrored on decentralized platforms, complicating removal efforts. India's government has increasingly scrutinized communication platforms based on their design, imposing restrictions on apps like Telegram and WhatsApp.
In Minecraft's "Dimension Clash," players engage in team-based combat across floating islands, with matches lasting 10 to 20 minutes. There are three teams representing different dimensions: Overworld, Nether, and End. The goal is to fill a base shrine with five ESSENCEs, which can be obtained from opposing teams' shrines or neutral islands. Each match features a player-voted Twist that alters gameplay, and players gain levels that enhance their abilities.
Google Play Services version 26.26 has introduced a new backup feature for Android users that automatically backs up documents in various formats (.DOC, .PPT, .XLS, .PDF) from devices to Google Drive. This feature can be activated through Settings > Accounts and backup > Google Backup settings, where a new Documents category will appear. Backed-up documents will be stored in a folder named Android backups within Google Drive, but users should monitor their storage space as this will utilize their cloud storage. Alternative backup methods include using manufacturer-specific features or third-party apps like Syncthing.
Microsoft has introduced a preview of the Event Tracing for Windows Model Context Protocol (ETW MCP) to enhance Windows performance analysis. This server integrates artificial intelligence to streamline the analysis of Windows Event Tracing (ETW) logs. The ETW MCP allows developers to use tools like GitHub Copilot to examine Event Trace Log (ETL) files, answer queries about the logs, and identify performance issues without manual data sifting. The MCP provides structured, read-only access to processed trace information, enabling developers to query insights such as CPU usage and execution paths. Current features of the ETW MCP include trace processing, querying, multi-trace comparison, symbol-aware analysis, critical path analysis, and regions of interest. The ETW MCP is designed for headless environments and automation, while a forthcoming WPA MCP will provide similar AI-assisted analysis within a graphical interface. The ETW MCP preview is available as the Microsoft.Windows.EventTracing.MCP NuGet package, and Microsoft is seeking developer feedback for further enhancements.
Advertising companies provide software development kits (SDKs) for mobile app monetization, which often automatically transmit users' location data to ad systems and location data brokers, raising privacy concerns. Many developers and users may be unaware of this data sharing. When developers allow SDKs to collect location data, it poses risks beyond targeted ads, including potential misuse by agencies like ICE and global surveillance.
Location data brokers harvest precise movements of individuals, often without their consent, through mobile applications. Some apps directly collaborate with data brokers, while others leak data through advertising SDKs during real-time bidding (RTB) auctions. An incident in 2025 revealed that many apps unknowingly contributed to a location data broker's database. Developers must understand their SDKs' location-sharing practices to mitigate risks.
Advertising SDKs can collect location data automatically once users grant permission, without specific permissions for the SDKs themselves. Precise location data can be collected when apps have location permissions, leading to potential privacy violations. Several SDKs have been identified as collecting location data by default, increasing the risk of unintentional data leaks.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) found that four advertising SDKs collect users' location data by default when location permissions are granted. InMobi encourages location sharing for higher revenue, while BidMachine updated its documentation after EFF's inquiry, confirming precise location data collection. Verve's SDK also collects location data by default but presents a cautious narrative in its Play Store guidance. Huawei's SDK recommends obtaining location permissions to enhance revenue, with default location sharing occurring if permissions are granted.
Location data can be shared without users' knowledge or meaningful consent, complicating informed consent issues. The focus on four SDKs does not imply that others adequately protect location data, as many have faced criticism for similar practices. Studies indicate that SDKs often encourage increased data collection through design and documentation, leading to minimal control for developers over data transmission.
The EFF's analysis highlights that advertising SDKs incentivize location data sharing through default settings and unclear documentation. Developers should assess third-party SDKs and disable unnecessary data collection. Regulators must hold developers accountable for unlawful data sharing, while legislators should enact laws to protect location privacy and address online behavioral advertising, which drives data tracking.
Mojang has released Minecraft 26.3 Snapshot 7, introducing Concrete Stairs and Concrete Slabs for all 16 colored Concrete blocks, and overhauling Explorer Maps into distinct items with unique icons. The new map items include various explorer maps and are not available in Creative Mode. Existing Explorer Maps will convert to the new items upon loading older worlds. Other changes include adjustments to Cushions, loot table updates, and expanded Realms support. Technical changes involve new data components for attack and interaction animations, and density functions now use single-precision floating point values. Bug fixes address issues with Cushions, Armadillos, Sniffers, and various map-related problems.
