Nick and Tom: Tech and Learning

Brave is joining the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), The Tor Project and 40+ other organizations in opposing Google's proposed Android developer registry.

Here's why we're taking this stand...

Starting September 2026, Android app devs must register with Google and upload government-issued ID, even if they don't use the Google Play Store.

This decision undermines Android's user-first ecosystem, presents massive privacy risks, and deepens Google’s surveillance economy: https://brave.com/blog/keep-android-open/

Android is an open platform that lets users install apps outside Google Play. For example, they can download Brave via F-Droid to avoid Google's restrictions and tracking. However, by forcing developers to register, Google makes itself the gatekeeper.

Mandatory developer registration is a serious privacy risk. A single corporation would create a database of extensive information on every person who writes Android software. This could cause creators of privacy-preserving apps to leave Android.

Google has a history of proposing mechanisms that expand its control over users and developers. Manifest V2 deprecation, the AMP Project and Privacy Sandbox are just a few recent examples. We opposed each of these proposals and we oppose this developer registry as well.

The open letter we signed asks Google to:

1. Rescind the mandatory registration
2. Engage transparently on security improvements that respect Android's openness
3. Commit to platform neutrality

Privacy should be easy for users and developers alike! https://keepandroidopen.org/open-letter/

Breach Report: March 2026

February was a tough month for online retailers, with 15 breaches reported that affect Canadians. The following list is all the companies that reported large scale breaches last month:

* Canadian Tire (https://haveibeenpwned.com/Breach/CanadianTire)
* Lovora (https://haveibeenpwned.com/Breach/Lovora)
* Quitbro (https://haveibeenpwned.com/Breach/Quitbro)
* KomicoAI (https://haveibeenpwned.com/Breach/KomikoAI)
* Odido (https://haveibeenpwned.com/Breach/Odido)
* CarGurus (https://haveibeenpwned.com/Breach/CarGurus)
* CarMax (https://haveibeenpwned.com/Breach/CarMax)
* Figure (https://haveibeenpwned.com/Breach/Figure)
* Canada Goose (https://haveibeenpwned.com/Breach/CanadaGoose)
* Toy Battles (https://haveibeenpwned.com/Breach/ToyBattles)
* Substack (https://haveibeenpwned.com/Breach/Substack)
* Betterment (https://haveibeenpwned.com/Breach/Betterment)

If you have an account on any of these websites, please change your password immediatly. Each link has individual recommendations for how to remedy individual breaches. If you have any questions please give us a call or send us a message.

If your Notepad, Terminal or Calculator applications just stopped working, please update windows.

The most recent security update to windows, January 17th 2026(KB5077744) broke how windows handles apps that are considered "free" by the Microsoft store, and how Outlook handles emails. This also breaks remote access to many versions of Microsoft Server.

The patch for this is out, but may not automatically apply due to it being considered an "optional" update. Please make sure that you apply this update and the next optional update to correct this issue, and update Office/O365.

If you need help with this or have multiple systems that need updating, please reach out to us at the following numbers:

Tom: 778 220 0647
Nick: 250 706 9676

Thank you to Lou Bowers Marketing and Standard Office Space for hosting the Shine Online workshop! it was great to hear all your ideas and meet all the wonderful people. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Red Door Doula Services, love & lore, Waves of Energy. Beflow Studio

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