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Tag: App Store

  • Totok Removed by Apple and Google After Caught Spying on Users

    Totok Removed by Apple and Google After Caught Spying on Users

    Popular messaging app ToTok has been removed from the Play Store and App Store after reports emerged it was used the govt. spy tool by the United Arab Emirates.

    According to multiple sources, ToTok has been classified as a foreign spy tool used to collect personal data. The messaging app has the ability to monitor key information about its users, such as conversations, movements, appointments, relationships, appointments, sounds, as well as photos.

    Reports also added that while most of the app’s users are from the United Arab Emirates, it has become extremely popular in the US, especially among teenagers. Before ToTok was removed from online stores, it had already managed to rack up millions of downloads from smartphone users living in North America, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Meanwhile, the app has already witnessed over 110 million downloads in the US alone.

    Cyber experts believe that the app developer behind the said app has close ties with a cyber intelligence and hacking agency based in Abu Dhabi, which is already under investigation by the FBI. Both Google and Apple have removed the app from their respective app stores.

    Despite the fact that ToTok has been pulled from Play Store and App Store following reports of being used as a government surveillance tool, the app itself has not been shut down. Users of the messaging app can still carry on using the app for the foreseeable future. That said, ToTok will no longer get updates from the two largest applications stores on the planet. Hence, we advise our readers to remove the controversial app from their devices, given the fact ToTok is allegedly considered as a foreign spy tool used to collect personal data by government agencies.

  • Netflix snubs iTunes for new user subscriptions

    Netflix snubs iTunes for new user subscriptions

    Netflix is no longer allowing users to subscribe to the streaming service via iTunes, the streaming giant has officially confirmed. The move will reportedly save the company over $250 million a year, and is going to cost Apple in excess of $250 million a year. With this change, new Netflix users with an iOS device will be required to subscribe for the service by directly visiting their official website.

    “We no longer support iTunes as a method of payment for new members. Existing members, however, can continue to use iTunes as a method of payment,” ,” a Netflix spokesperson told VentureBeat.

    Apple typically gets a 15 percent share if users pay for an app via the App store. While this may not sound a lot, but if you have thousands of users and subscribers worldwide, this small interest amounts to a lot of money.

    It’s also worth noting that active users who’ve subcribed for Netflix through iTunes are not affected by this move. They can carry on using the service as they’ve been until now. It’s only new users, or someone who wants to reactivate their account will have to do so via the official Netflix website.

    Netflix did the same thing with Google Play. Back in May, the company stopped allowing users to pay for the service via the Play Store. Interestingly, it’s not just Netflix who’s trying to avoid fees from Apple and Google.

    Fortnite Developer Epic Games, has now launched its own dedicated store for PC and Mac users to avoid taxes from Apple. Besides, even music streaming service Spotify has ditched Apple. The music streaming giant now wants users to sign up for the service directly through Spotify, rather through iTunes or the AppStore to avoid fees Apple charges on subscriptions purchased through iOS.

  • Tumblr finally announces war against adult content

    Tumblr finally announces war against adult content

    Tumblr has announced that it wil no longer allow pornographic or adult content on its platform. The move come shortly after Tumblr’s app was ousted from the App Store after images depicting child sexual abuse appeared on the platform.

    Tumblr has promised that starting December 17, it would not allow explicit content on its platform. Such content includes ‘photos, GIFs, or videos that show real-life human genitals or female presenting nipples and any content — including photos, videos, GIFs, and illustrations — that depicts sex acts”, said Tumblr.

    The company also stated that all blog owners will be notified of the new guidelines so they’re ready to implement changes before deadline. Tumblr says it’ll be using automated tools to identify pornographic content, and users can export their content if it’s impacted by the new guidelines.

    Tumblr became notoriuosly infamous for sharing adult content on its platform. The platform was banned in Indonesia in 2016 for sharing pornographic content. However, the company’s CEO now assures it’s aiming for a clean future.

    “There are no shortage of sites on the internet that feature adult content. We will leave it to them and focus our efforts on creating the most welcoming environment possible for our community,” said Jeff D’Onofrio, CEO of Tumblr.

    That said, some adult content would still be allowed on the platform under the new guidelines. For instance, content such as breastfeeding, health and birth related matreial, as well as erotica.

    “Written content such as erotica, nudity related to political or newsworthy speech, and nudity found in art, such as sculptures and illustrations, are also stuff that can be freely posted on Tumblr,” explanied Tumblr’s FAQ page.

    Besides, blog owners whose posts have been identified as adult content will be notified, and they’ll have the right to appeal to Tumblr’s decision.

  • Tumblr ousted from the AppStore over child pornography issues

    Tumblr ousted from the AppStore over child pornography issues

    Tumblr suddenly went missing from the AppStore a few days back, though no statement by either companies were issued over the disappearance. Now, a report from Download.com has revealed the reason as to why the social media app went missing from the App Store.

    According to the report, Tumblr was removed from the AppStore because some images showing child pornography appeared on website. The report further claims that the cause of disappearance was confirmed by independent sources within the company.

    “As this is an industry-wide problem, we work collaboratively with our industry peers and partners like [the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children] (NCMEC) to actively monitor content uploaded to the platform. Every image uploaded to Tumblr is scanned against an industry database of known child sexual abuse material, and images that are detected never reach the platform. A routine audit discovered content on our platform that had not yet been included in the industry database. We immediately removed this content. Content safeguards are a challenging aspect of operating scaled platforms. We’re continuously assessing further steps we can take to improve and there is no higher priority for our team,” said Tumblr in a statement.

    Just like other websites, Tumblr scans images that users upload. Though in this case, these images depicting child sexual abuse somehow got through the website’s filters. The social network is now reportedly deleting all kinds of NSFW blogs, even those not related to child pornography. Apple has laid down clear iOS guidelines that all apps must have content filter to detect such material, and it appears the Yahoo-owned app doesn’t have enough tools yet.

    Tumblr notes that getting back to the AppStore is now its number one priority, however, it didn’t reveal an exact timeframe when it’ll be back. Tumblr is infamously tolerant of NSFW and adult-oriented content, which also led to its brief ban in Indonesia. As back in 2016, the Indonesian government banned the site for a while over pornography content.

  • Apple ousts WhatsApp stickers from the AppStore

    Apple ousts WhatsApp stickers from the AppStore

    Apple has reportedly decided to remove all WhatsApp stickers from its App Store. Not because they’re competeing with its own iMessage platform, but because Apple thinks they’re apparently violating certain AppStore gudelines.

    Apple has not one, but three reasons as to why they’re violating its AppStore guidelines. First, Apple beleives there are too many apps that exhibit the same behaviour. Now, this essentially implies that there are far too many stickers available for download, which Apple thinks isn’t a good thing.

    Secondly, Apple thinks WhatsApp need to be installed in order to download these stickers. And the company doesn’t allow apps that need other apps to perform downloads.

    Finally, Apple thinks the design of these stickers are too similar as they lack enough creativity. As a result of this move, WhatsApp stickers can no longer be downloaded on your iPhone.

    WhatsApp hasn’t yet issued an official statement on how it plans to deal with this restriction. However, it appears the platform could rectify this issue is by building a dedicated store for stickers, something like what Facebook offers for Messenger users.

    It’s also worth noting that at this point, Google hasn’t laid down any such restrictions for stickers on its PlayStore.