U.S. government Archives

AppWizard

May 19, 2025

I did Liberation Day tariffs in Victoria 3, and it all went well until the famine in Colorado, the 2 lost wars with Canada, and the president beating a man to death with a stick

An individual used the video game Victoria 3 to explore economic policies related to the U.S. Liberation Day tariffs. They adopted a strategy of extreme protectionism by imposing 100% tariffs, which initially increased cash flow but led to shortages and famine. In an attempt to address these issues, the player invested in maize farms, which drained the treasury and worsened the financial crisis. The protagonist then decided to invade Canada to rally national pride and boost the economy, achieving initial military success but ultimately facing setbacks due to British reinforcements and internal insurrection. The invasion resulted in a costly peace settlement, further destabilizing the economy and government legitimacy. The game ended with a crash, prompting reflections on the complexities of economic policy and governance.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

TeleMessage suspends services after hackers claim breach

TeleMessage has temporarily suspended all services due to a reported security breach, with the parent company Smarsh investigating the incident. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has discontinued using the app as a precaution. A hacker claimed to have accessed a centralized TeleMessage server and downloaded data, including a screenshot of the contact list for employees at Coinbase, which confirmed the authenticity of the screenshot but stated that customer data remained secure. Multiple U.S. government agencies have contracts with TeleMessage or related entities. Another hacker also claimed to have breached TeleMessage, providing evidence of their claims. The investigation into the breach is ongoing, and it is unclear if sensitive communications from U.S. officials were compromised.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

Signals crossed: How Signal Messenger thrived as support for Mike Waltz took a dive

Signal, the encrypted messaging app, has seen a surge in popularity due to increased media attention on the White House's Houthi attack plan scandal. The app's usage has risen as public perception shifts, with many viewing Signal as a champion of privacy amidst concerns about data breaches and surveillance. The app has reported a notable increase in daily active users, and market analysts anticipate potential expansions and innovations as competitors take note of Signal's success. The scandal has led to discussions about privacy and security, particularly affecting key figures within the U.S. government.

Winsage

April 5, 2025

As Microsoft Turns 50, Bill Gates Gives A Rewind Of His Early Days

Bill Gates shared rare throwback photographs on Instagram to commemorate Microsoft's 50th anniversary, reflecting on his early days with the company. Gates humorously described the images as part of his "awkward photo shoots" era and expressed gratitude towards Microsoft. He co-founded Microsoft in 1975 with Paul Allen after dropping out of Harvard. Gates led the company through significant developments, including the creation of the MS-DOS operating system and Windows. He stepped down as CEO in 2000 and left Microsoft's board in 2020. Microsoft has become one of the leading tech giants, celebrating its history and future aspirations on its website.

AppWizard

April 5, 2025

TikTok avoids a US ban for a second time thanks to Trump’s 75-day reprieve

TikTok has avoided a potential ban in the U.S. due to a 75-day extension granted by President Donald Trump, announced on April 4. This is the second extension for TikTok, which follows an initial deadline set to expire on April 5. The original law required a decision by January 19 regarding the sale of TikTok's U.S. operations or a nationwide ban, a deadline that has now been postponed twice. TikTok, owned by ByteDance, can continue operations without interruption, although negotiations between ByteDance and the U.S. government are ongoing, with unresolved key matters. The situation also involves U.S.-China tariff discussions, with Trump emphasizing the importance of tariffs for national security.

AppWizard

April 3, 2025

Tesla adds security feature to Android with latest software update

Wedbush analyst Dan Ives reported that Tesla delivered 336,681 vehicles in Q1 2025, falling short of Wall Street's forecast of 352,000 and whisper estimates around 350,000. Tesla attributed part of this underperformance to several weeks of production loss while ramping up the new Model Y. Ives described the performance as “a disaster on every metric” and emphasized that it represents a pivotal moment for CEO Elon Musk, who has been increasingly involved in U.S. government affairs, potentially affecting the brand negatively. Following the delivery report, Tesla's stock initially dropped over 5 percent but rebounded by 8 percent, currently trading up over 5 percent at 3.01. This recovery was linked to reports of Musk potentially stepping back from his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Ives expressed optimism about Tesla's future advancements in robotaxi technology and Full Self-Driving capabilities but cautioned that Musk needs to balance his responsibilities with DOGE and leading Tesla to avoid further crises.

AppWizard

March 27, 2025

What Is Signal, the App Used by Trump Staff, and Is It Safe?

The Trump administration is under scrutiny for officials using the messaging app Signal for discussions about sensitive military operations, revealed in an article by Jeffrey Goldberg on March 24. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and others discussed military actions in Yemen via Signal, despite prior warnings from the U.S. government against using such applications for official communications. Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Chuck Schumer, are calling for an investigation into potential national security breaches. Signal, launched in 2014, emphasizes privacy through end-to-end encryption and has gained popularity among activists. However, its use in government contexts is contentious, with previous reprimands for non-compliance with federal record preservation requirements. Concerns have been raised about sharing sensitive information on Signal, although intelligence officials stated that no classified information was exchanged in the Trump officials' conversations. The Pentagon has warned military personnel about using Signal due to risks from Russian hackers, and experts suggest that government-specific communication tools would provide a higher level of security.

AppWizard

March 26, 2025

How secure is signal? The messaging app used by Trump team to share war plans

Senior officials from the Trump administration accidentally shared sensitive military discussions on the encrypted messaging platform Signal, leading to calls from Democratic lawmakers for a congressional investigation. A journalist was mistakenly included in a group chat, giving him access to confidential conversations about military operations in Yemen. Signal is an open-source messaging platform known for its end-to-end encryption and prioritizes user privacy by retaining minimal data. User chats and contacts are stored locally on devices, and the app allows for automatic deletion of conversations. Signal operates independently of government servers and does not use governmental encryption methods. Cybersecurity expert Rocky Cole stated that the risk of discussing sensitive information on Signal is less about its security and more about the potential compromise of the mobile device itself.

AppWizard

March 26, 2025

What is Signal messaging app? Can Bucks County, PA agencies use it

Signal is an encrypted messaging application owned by the nonprofit Signal Foundation, known for its end-to-end encryption. The app has drawn attention in a controversy in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, involving allegations that school board members used Signal to communicate after being instructed to retain records related to a Sunshine Act lawsuit. This has raised concerns about the potential destruction of evidence, as Signal's auto-delete feature may violate federal record retention laws. Additionally, during the Trump administration, Mike Waltz inadvertently included a journalist in a Signal chat discussing a military strike, raising questions about the appropriateness of using commercial messaging for sensitive government communications. The use of auto-deleting messages has sparked debate regarding public accountability and compliance with the Presidential Records Act, as many records must be retained for a minimum of two years.

AppWizard

March 26, 2025

What is Signal, the messaging app Trump team used to share war plans?

Top officials from the Trump administration mistakenly included journalist Jeffrey Goldberg in an encrypted chat on the Signal messaging app, discussing military strategies against Yemen's Houthi rebel group. This incident has led to calls from Democratic and some Republican lawmakers for a congressional investigation into a potential security breach. Goldberg reported being added to the chat on March 13, which aimed to coordinate U.S. military responses to Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. The inclusion of an outsider in the chat raises concerns about the protocols for sharing classified information on commercial messaging platforms. Under U.S. law, mishandling classified information can result in criminal charges, although it is unclear if any laws were violated in this case. Signal is known for its secure messaging capabilities, utilizing end-to-end encryption, and does not track or store user data beyond basic account information. The app has gained popularity among privacy advocates, journalists, and government organizations.