transparency

AppWizard
July 9, 2025
A technique for Android devices called TapTrap allows malicious applications to intercept user taps without requiring special permissions. It uses transparent screen transitions to mislead users into triggering hidden actions. Devices running Android versions 15 and 16 are particularly vulnerable. TapTrap operates by overlaying a nearly transparent screen on top of another application, making it appear as if users are interacting with one app while their taps are registered by the hidden screen. A study of around 100,000 Android applications revealed that approximately 76 percent contained screens vulnerable to TapTrap. The researchers successfully executed the attack on a Google Pixel 8a running Android 16. Google has acknowledged the issue and plans to include a fix in a future software update, but no specific timeline has been provided. Users can enhance their security by disabling animations in their system settings.
AppWizard
July 9, 2025
Starting July 7, 2025, Google’s AI chatbot, Gemini, will automatically interact with third-party applications on Android devices, including Messages, WhatsApp, Utilities, and Phone applications. Users can expect Gemini to perform tasks such as sending messages, setting timers, and making phone calls with minimal input. These interactions will occur automatically, regardless of whether the Gemini Apps Activity setting is activated. Conversations will be logged in user accounts for up to 72 hours, even if users disable the Gemini Apps Activity. Google has informed Android users about these changes via email. Concerns regarding privacy have been raised, with Tuta, an encrypted email service, highlighting the lack of transparency from tech companies. Users can disable Gemini's interaction with apps through the Apps settings page or uninstall it entirely using developer tools. Future Android updates may introduce Gemini features to additional devices.
AppWizard
July 9, 2025
Google is introducing a new 'System services' settings page for Android devices to streamline the management of background services. This page will provide a comprehensive list of Google services and applications, allowing users to navigate updates, identify uninstalled services, and confirm which services are up to date. Users will also be informed if they are part of the Google system services beta program, with a streamlined sign-up process for early access to new features. The update is compatible with devices running Android 6 and above and is currently being rolled out, with beta participants receiving priority access. Users can find the new page in the Settings app under their profile, in the All services tab, and then in the Privacy & security setting.
AppWizard
July 8, 2025
The gaming industry has seen a trend of game cancellations from major companies like Electronic Arts and Ubisoft, leading to frustration among gamers. In response, a grassroots initiative called Stop Killing Games has launched a petition that has collected nearly 1.3 million signatures, urging game publishers to fulfill their commitments to consumers. The organization raises legal concerns about publishers marketing expensive games without clear longevity, likening it to planned obsolescence, which undermines customer trust and complicates digital game preservation. They aim for the European Union to enact laws that strengthen consumer rights, potentially allowing defunct games to remain accessible through private servers, with hopes that similar protections could extend to the United States.
AppWizard
July 5, 2025
The PC version of Call of Duty: WWII has been taken offline due to security concerns related to remote code execution (RCE) hacks that allow unauthorized code execution on players' PCs. This issue has led to fears of malware installation and data breaches. The game's removal from online access has caused frustration among players, who criticize the lack of transparency from the Call of Duty team regarding the vulnerabilities. While the game is still available for installation on Xbox PC and the Microsoft Store, it is currently not accessible online. The Xbox version remains available, and concerns persist about the potential for similar vulnerabilities in other older titles.
AppWizard
July 4, 2025
The developers at Landcrab released a patch for their game, Peak, which initially caused access issues for some players. They have since reintroduced a refined version of the patch that retains the original fixes while resolving the access problems. The new patch enhances stability for reconnecting to games after disconnections and includes various other improvements. The developers are also updating the End User License Agreement (EULA) and are encouraging players to report any bugs.
Tech Optimizer
July 4, 2025
Percona has introduced Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) for PostgreSQL as a fully open-source and production-ready solution, enabling organizations to encrypt data at rest and comply with regulations like PCI DSS v4.0 without incurring licensing fees. The TDE extension, named pg_tde, is now part of the Percona Distribution for PostgreSQL and addresses barriers to adopting enterprise-level data encryption in open-source environments. Key features include encryption of all database files on disk, granular encryption policies, seamless integration into existing systems, and streamlined key management with major Key Management Services. The solution supports online key rotation and has minimal performance impact. Percona also provides 24/7 assistance for setup and management, making the solution accessible to organizations of all sizes.
Tech Optimizer
July 2, 2025
CompTIA's State of the Tech Workforce 2025 report shows a 1.2% growth in the tech workforce in 2024, totaling 5.9 million professionals, with projections of reaching 6.1 million by 2025. California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Virginia are the leading states in tech employment, while Texas, North Carolina, Florida, New Jersey, and Tennessee have seen the most growth. Major cities with advancements in tech job opportunities include New York City, Orlando, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, and Baltimore. Meta has joined the Kotlin Foundation to promote Kotlin within its development ecosystem and will contribute to a grants program for open-source library authors. Percona has launched an open-source Transparent Data Encryption extension for PostgreSQL, allowing organizations to secure data at rest without licensing fees or vendor lock-in. The extension supports deployment without application changes, multi-tenant environments, control over encryption strategies, and centralized key management.
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