user information Archives

AppWizard

November 13, 2025

Meta Introduces Ads To WhatsApp As Messaging App Expands Revenue Strategy

WhatsApp has announced the introduction of advertisements in its "Updates" tab, which is used by approximately 1.5 billion daily users. Personal chats will remain free from ads, and the platform assures that end-to-end encryption will protect private conversations from being used for advertising purposes. This shift marks a departure from WhatsApp's previous ad-free policy, originally upheld by its founders. Meta, WhatsApp's parent company, is looking to monetize the app, which has over 2.5 billion users, while maintaining user trust and privacy. Advertisements will be targeted using limited user information, and two additional revenue-generating features have been introduced: paid subscriptions for Channels and promoted channels. Meta reported total revenue of 4.5 billion in 2025, with .6 billion coming from advertising across its platforms. Analysts suggest the introduction of ads could impact user experience, with the potential to alienate users who value WhatsApp's simplicity and ad-free environment. Meta plans to monitor user feedback as it rolls out the advertising initiative.

AppWizard

November 12, 2025

Tajikistan launches state-backed messenger app

Tajikistan has launched its national messenger app, ORIZ, aimed at improving digital independence and data security for users, particularly Tajik migrants in Russia. The app's user data will be stored within Tajikistan, addressing concerns about reliance on foreign messaging platforms. This initiative aligns with similar efforts in Russia and Kazakhstan, as post-Soviet nations increasingly develop national messaging services. Tajikistan, the poorest former Soviet republic, has been governed by President Emomali Rahmon since the early 1990s, emphasizing state control in various sectors, including digital communication.

AppWizard

November 5, 2025

6 Android Apps Caught Recording Conversations

Security researchers from ESET discovered that 12 malicious Android chat applications, including Privee Talk, MeetMe, Let’s Chat, Quick Chat, Rafaqat رفاق, and Chit Chat, were found to covertly harvest users’ messages and deploy a remote access trojan called VajraSpy. Six of these apps were available on Google Play before being flagged for suspicious activity, resulting in approximately 1,400 downloads, primarily targeting users in India and Pakistan. The spyware could extract messages from encrypted chat platforms, record ambient sounds in real time, and intercept communications on apps like WhatsApp and Signal. The operators used honey-trap tactics to entice users into installing the apps, which requested permissions typical of espionage tools, such as RECORD_AUDIO and access to notifications and accessibility services. Users are advised to uninstall these apps and review permissions to protect against potential threats.

AppWizard

October 30, 2025

IIT study warns of privacy risks from location permissions on Android apps

A study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi revealed that Android apps requiring precise location permissions can access extensive information about users' environments and activities. The research introduced AndroCon, a system that uses fine-grained GPS data to determine users' surroundings and activities without the need for cameras or microphones. It analyzes nine GPS parameters to identify whether a person is seated, standing, or lying down, and can recognize specific locations such as being on public transport or in a crowded area. The study demonstrated that AndroCon could achieve up to 99% accuracy in detecting surroundings and over 87% accuracy in recognizing human activities. The findings raise significant privacy concerns regarding the potential for apps to infer sensitive user information.

AppWizard

October 30, 2025

Privacy rankings of popular messaging apps in 2025

Direct messaging through chat applications is not as private as often assumed, with conversations and data potentially used for advertising, AI training, and shared with law enforcement. Users can also be targeted by impersonators and face risks from social engineering tactics. Incogni analyzed 15 messaging apps and social networks based on 18 criteria for privacy, resulting in a ranking where lower scores indicate better privacy practices. The overall privacy rankings are: - Discord: 10.23 - Telegram: 13.08 - Snapchat: 13.39 - Facebook Messenger: 22.22 - WhatsApp: 23.17 When considering practical categories, the rankings change: - Telegram: 4.23 - Snapchat: 7.72 - Discord: 8.14 - WhatsApp: 11.93 - Facebook Messenger: 13.37 WhatsApp received a penalty of 3.4 points due to potential use of chats for AI training. Applications that prioritize privacy typically have secure default settings, with Telegram and Snapchat leading in this aspect, while Discord, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp rank lower. For securing accounts against strangers, Telegram and WhatsApp are the most secure, while Discord ranks lower. In terms of compliance with government requests for data, Snapchat has the highest approval rate at 82%, followed by Meta’s services at 78%, and Discord at 77.4%. All platforms collect varying amounts of user data, with Telegram and WhatsApp collecting the least. Telegram is noted for its extensive privacy settings, while Discord, despite limited data collection, lacks robust default privacy settings. WhatsApp excels in protecting users from strangers and has a modest data collection profile. The analysis did not include niche privacy-focused messaging apps, and only WhatsApp provides end-to-end encryption by default. Users are advised to use official mobile clients to avoid vulnerabilities, and third-party clients pose significant security risks.

AppWizard

October 28, 2025

ChatGPT now available on KakaoTalk, S.Korea’s top messaging app

ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI Inc., has launched on KakaoTalk, South Korea's leading mobile chat platform, marking the first outcome of the partnership between Kakao Corp. and OpenAI announced in February. Kakao introduced ChatGPT for Kakao, integrating OpenAI’s GPT-5 model into the KakaoTalk interface, allowing users to access it via a new tab. Existing users can sign in with OpenAI credentials, while new users can register with their Kakao accounts. The service offers free and paid tiers, with limited access for free users. It integrates with Kakao Tools, providing access to various services like Kakao Map. Kakao is offering a subscription rebate for the paid ChatGPT Plus plan until December 31 and emphasizes user privacy regarding chat histories and data management. This launch is part of Kakao’s strategy to build an AI-agent ecosystem, which includes the Kanana service currently in beta, utilizing the Kanana Nano model for user assistance. Kakao plans to roll out Kanana across Android devices in the first quarter of next year and has launched PlayMCP for external partners to develop new content. Following the announcement, Kakao shares increased by over 4.5%.

Tech Optimizer

October 26, 2025

Do Chromebooks Need Antivirus Software in 2025?

Chromebooks are a cost-effective alternative to traditional laptops, appealing to students and young professionals due to their built-in productivity tools and user-friendly interface. They feature sandboxing technology that enhances resilience against malware, making them suitable for users learning about digital security. Chromebooks do not natively support traditional antivirus software, but users can access Android-based antivirus applications via the Google Play Store. While vulnerabilities in Chromebooks account for less than 1% of reported issues, users should remain vigilant against threats like fake browser extensions, scam Android apps, phishing attempts, and insecure websites. Key security features of Chromebooks include automatic updates, sandboxing, verified boot, data encryption, and recovery options. Misconceptions persist about their security, such as the belief that all apps in Google Play are thoroughly checked and that malware cannot self-install. If a Chromebook is suspected of being compromised, users can uninstall recent extensions, reboot the device, or use the Powerwash feature for a factory reset. Over 4% of U.S. desktop users utilize Chrome OS, and 30 million students and educators worldwide rely on Chromebooks. They are modeled closely on Linux OS and, while immune to traditional viruses, can still be susceptible to malware. Recommended antivirus options for Chromebooks include Norton, Bitdefender, and Avast. With proper care, Chromebooks typically last between five to eight years.

AppWizard

October 23, 2025

Controversial dating safety apps Tea and TeaOnHer booted from Apple App Store

Apple has removed the women's safety app Tea and its male counterpart TeaOnHer from the App Store due to failure to meet content moderation and user privacy standards. The decision follows a cyberattack that exposed sensitive user information and concerns about security vulnerabilities in both apps. Apple cited non-compliance with its App Review Guidelines and Developer Code of Conduct. While both apps are no longer available on Apple's platform, they remain accessible on the Android app store.

AppWizard

October 2, 2025

Signal Messenger Impersonated in ‘ProSpy’ Android Spyware Campaign

ESET researchers have identified two Android spyware campaigns, ProSpy and ToSpy, which masquerade as secure messaging apps, Signal and ToTok. These malware families were first detected in June 2025 and are distributed through phishing websites and fake app marketplaces. ProSpy, which mimics a “Signal encryption plugin” or an enhanced ToTok, extracts sensitive user information, including SMS messages, contacts, and device metadata, after gaining permissions. It disguises itself as “Play Services” to avoid detection. ToSpy, discovered concurrently, seeks to capture specific files related to ToTok backups and collects various document types. Both malware types maintain long-term access to infected devices and have been reported to Google, resulting in Play Protect blocking their known variants. The main targets of these campaigns are users in the United Arab Emirates.

AppWizard

September 30, 2025

Arattai takes on WhatsApp: 5 areas where Zoho’s app beats Meta’s messaging giant

A shift in the Indian tech landscape emphasizes the importance of homegrown software solutions, exemplified by Zoho's new app, Arattai, which is being referred to as the 'WhatsApp killer.' Arattai features several aspects that differentiate it from WhatsApp: 1) Meetings: Arattai allows users to conduct meetings within the app, unlike WhatsApp, which has limited video calling capabilities. 2) Pocket: Arattai offers a personal cloud storage feature for sharing messages and media, improving upon the basic messaging to oneself system in WhatsApp. 3) Mentions: Arattai has a section that compiles all messages mentioning the user, simplifying notification management compared to WhatsApp. 4) No ads: Arattai is ad-free and prioritizes user data privacy, storing information in India, while WhatsApp displays ads and shares user data for advertising purposes. 5) No forced AI: Arattai does not incorporate AI features that users cannot disable, contrasting with WhatsApp's recent integration of AI functionalities.