WhatsApp flaw let researchers scrape 3.5 billion phone numbers, photos, and statuses

Researchers from the University of Vienna have scraped data from 3.5 billion WhatsApp users, uncovering significant privacy risks. This alarming study has prompted Meta to implement new security measures to protect user data.

WhatsApp is reintroducing its very first feature, which is expected to enhance user engagement and streamline communication on the platform. This move reflects the company's commitment to evolving its services while maintaining core functionalities that users have come to rely on.

In October, Mikita Bier, the Head of Product at X, announced plans to display additional information on user profiles, including the date of account creation, the number of username changes, and the location of the account. This initiative aims to enhance transparency and potentially identify users employing VPNs to mask their identities, which could help in addressing online trolling and abuse.

A new Windows feature announced at Ignite 2025 aims to reduce the visibility of Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors on public displays. When activated by an administrator, this mode allows the public to view BSODs for only 15 seconds before the screens automatically turn off.

Roblox has announced a new age verification requirement for players who wish to chat with others on the platform. This measure will restrict children to chatting only with other children, aiming to enhance safety and set a gold standard for online gaming. The company hopes that this initiative will be adopted by other gaming studios as well.

TikTok is testing a new feature that introduces a slider for users to control the amount of AI-generated content in their feeds. This feature is part of the Manage Topics section and aims to enhance user experience by allowing more customization. Additionally, TikTok plans to implement invisible watermarks to improve the identification of AI content.

Meta has achieved a significant legal victory as a federal judge ruled that the company did not violate antitrust laws when it acquired Instagram and WhatsApp. This ruling allows Meta to maintain its ownership of these platforms, which were small start-ups at the time of purchase. The decision may influence other tech companies to reconsider their acquisition strategies.

Meta Platforms Inc. achieved a significant legal victory in federal antitrust court, as a judge ruled that the company does not need to divest its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, concluding that it is not a monopoly. This decision comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of Meta's market practices, although the judge's reasoning may have implications for the company's future operations.