UAE Archives

AppWizard

June 18, 2026

Telegram vs Jio: Messaging app founder alleges cyberattack, Reliance responds

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has raised concerns about accessibility issues on his platform, attributing them to a technique called "BGP hijacking," which redirects internet traffic. He alleges that these disruptions affect users beyond India, including in the UAE, and suggests that Reliance Jio, an Indian telecom operator partly owned by Meta, may be involved in sabotaging access to Telegram. Reliance Jio has denied these allegations, stating they operate in accordance with global internet routing best practices. BGP hijacking occurs when a network falsely claims to be the preferred route, causing disruptions in internet traffic. There are indications that the network in question may be linked to Reliance Communications rather than Reliance Jio. The situation is complicated by a temporary block on Telegram in India due to the platform allegedly being used for leaking examination materials.

AppWizard

June 11, 2026

Valve Is Killing Physical Steam Gift Cards, Blaming Scammers

Valve has announced the discontinuation of its physical Steam gift card program in retail stores globally due to ongoing issues with scammers exploiting these cards for fraudulent activities. All retail stock is expected to be depleted by the end of 2026. Scammers have been using these cards to siphon funds from victims, often impersonating officials or agencies. Valve has implemented measures to combat these scams but has decided to terminate the retail gift card program. Retailers will sell their remaining inventory but will not restock physical gift cards. Customers can still use existing gift cards on Steam, and digital gift cards will continue to be offered. Consumer protection agencies warn that fraudsters will continue to exploit gift cards from various brands.

AppWizard

June 10, 2026

Samsung Wallet now holds your passport: Where it works (and where it doesn’t)

Samsung Wallet now allows users to store a TSA-approved digital passport for use at TSA checkpoints in the U.S., thanks to a collaboration with CLEAR. The wallet is available in multiple countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, India, the U.K., and the U.S., and supports various features such as storing debit, credit, and loyalty cards, passwords, and digital keys. However, the digital ID feature is only valid for domestic travel within the U.S., and travelers must carry their physical passports for international trips.

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

KING VPN Announces Android VPN App with 40+ Server Locations for UK and Russian Users

Tech Digital Labs has launched KING VPN, an Android application designed for users in the UK and Russia seeking a mobile VPN experience. The app features over 40 server locations and a one-tap connection for easy use on smartphones and tablets. It is available for download on Google Play and offers a clean interface for straightforward connections. KING VPN supports browsing on public Wi-Fi and accessing apps in compliance with local network policies, with server options including the US, Turkey, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and China. The app is aimed at users who prefer a lightweight VPN experience without complex setup procedures.

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

The Invisible Messenger: How imo Quietly Built 200 Million Users by Serving Migrant Workers

imo is a messaging application launched in 2007 by two former Google engineers, which has over 200 million active users. It focuses on labor migrants from the Global South, offering reliable video calling even on poor connections. The app grew organically as migrants shared it with their families and communities, particularly in regions with limited connectivity. imo has developed into a fully-featured messaging platform, serving as essential infrastructure for millions of migrant families to maintain connections. Its growth strategy involved avoiding direct competition in saturated markets and addressing the specific needs of migrant workers.

Winsage

April 6, 2026

Linux gaming reaches 5.3% on Steam, Windows drops below 93%

The Linux gaming market share among Steam users has reached 5.3%, a historic high, coinciding with Windows usage dropping below 93%. Windows 10 usage has decreased by nearly 15%, while Windows 11 has gained only 10.6%. SteamOS Holo 64-bit is the leading Linux distribution, making up 25% of all Linux users, largely due to the popularity of the Steam Deck. macOS has gained 1.2% market share, indicating a shift in gaming preferences. Valve announced plans to expand SteamOS to desktop PCs, which may further boost Linux gaming adoption.

AppWizard

April 1, 2026

The Google Play Store has a serious problem with shady cast-to-TV apps

Recent investigations into the Google Play Store have revealed that a small group of developer networks is dominating the cast-to-TV and screen mirroring category, operating over 280 apps under deceptive accounts with a total of 1.8 billion installs. Users have reported that many of these apps do not function as advertised, displaying uncloseable ads, charging for "free trials," and promoting high weekly subscription fees. Key problematic networks identified include: - iKame/Begamob (Vietnam): Manages over four accounts and more than 130 apps, with approximately 1.5 billion installs. - MaxLabs (Hong Kong): Operates eight developer accounts with various app names. - Package ID ai.chatbot.alpha.chatapp: Originally an AI chatbot, now rebranded as a casting tool. - Nice – Polska Sp. z o.o.: Claimed to be a UK shell company run by an individual in Pakistan. - Incube Technologies (Pakistan/UAE): Offers app store optimization services under the name “SwiftBiz Apps.” Google is currently investigating these allegations and has stated that it will take appropriate action against apps violating its policies.

AppWizard

February 11, 2026

UK-based pair behind messaging app accused of giving data to Iranian regime

Hadi and Mahdi Anjidani, co-founders of TS Information Technology, operate a messaging app called Gap Messenger, which is associated with the Iranian regime. Their company is based in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, and is linked to the Iranian software corporation Towse’e Saman Information Technology (TSIT). Despite claims of encryption and user privacy, experts have raised concerns about Gap Messenger's role in government censorship in Iran. Mahdi Anjidani has expressed pro-regime views in Iranian media and has connections to the Iranian government through his ventures. Gap Messenger has over 1 million downloads on Google Play and is part of Iran's domestic internet network aimed at controlling citizen access to information. Reports suggest that the app may have shared user data with Iranian authorities. The Anjidani brothers have ties to various business ventures in Iran, including a social network and a payment platform.

AppWizard

December 11, 2025

Minecraft update today (9th December): What changes in the Mounts of Mayhem patch notes?

The Minecraft "Mounts of Mayhem" update is set to be released on Tuesday, December 9th, at approximately 4 PM GMT. The update will introduce new features including camel husks, skeletons riding camels, a new weapon called the spear with jabbing and charging attacks, the Spear Lunge enchantment, a new neutral mob called Nautilus that can be ridden underwater, zombie nautilus with drowned enemies, zombie horses ridden by zombies, significant improvements to horse mechanics allowing them to swim, and the ability to craft Netherite horse armor. Expected launch times in various time zones include 8 AM PST, 9 AM MST, 10 AM CST, 11 AM EST, 1 PM BRT, 5 PM CET, 6 PM SAST, 8 PM GST, 12 AM SGT (December 10th), 1 AM JST (December 10th), 3 AM AEDT (December 10th), and 5 AM NZDT (December 10th).

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.