tech infrastructure Archives

AppWizard

November 4, 2025

Application Gatekeeping: An Ever-Expanding Pathway to Internet

Apple removed the ICEBlock app following threats from the U.S. government, and Google subsequently took similar action. Google plans to launch a global program requiring developers to register, pay a fee, and provide personal information verified by government-issued ID to have their apps available on certified Android devices. This program has raised concerns about its impact on smaller developers, many of whom lack government IDs and may be deterred from participating in the Android ecosystem. F-Droid has warned that this central registration system could harm the developer community and stifle innovation. Google is also facing legal challenges in the Epic Games v. Google lawsuit, which aims to prevent it from penalizing developers who use competing app stores. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has expressed concerns about these developments.

AppWizard

July 9, 2025

Twitter co-founder launches Bluetooth-only messaging app

Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter, has launched Bitchat, a peer-to-peer messaging app that operates over Bluetooth without the need for internet or phone numbers. Currently in beta testing via Apple's TestFlight, Bitchat uses local Bluetooth mesh networks to relay messages, ensuring encrypted conversations that disappear by default. Users can create password-protected group chats and future updates may include Wi-Fi Direct support. The app is designed for use in situations with compromised internet access and does not collect user data or require accounts. A whitepaper on GitHub outlines its technical framework aimed at resisting censorship. While still in early testing, the app's effectiveness at scale is yet to be evaluated, and there are no announcements for an Android version or public launch plans.

Winsage

July 26, 2024

Here’s what the CrowdStrike outage exposed about our connected world. It’s not good.

CrowdStrike issued a software update that caused certain Windows systems to crash, displaying the blue screen of death. The company is now reworking its software update process to prevent future global system collapses. The incident also highlights the fragility of the world's tech infrastructure, with a small number of companies having a significant impact on how the web operates. Gregory Falco from Cornell University emphasizes the need for better preparation for catastrophic failures and understanding how to contain the fallout.