Durov’s Code

News from IT and Telegram world.

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⚡️ Exclusive: Why the Telegram–Grok integration never materialized

Talks between @durov and @elonmusk stalled over Telegram users’ data privacy during negotiations over a potential Grok integration. So what ultimately blocked the $300 million deal?

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🍎 Apple cracks down on low-quality App Store apps

Apple has updated its developer guidelines and tightened the rules around what it considers low-quality apps on the App Store.

The new guidelines target two groups in particular:

→ Apps in already crowded categories like dating, flashlights, wallpapers, simple timers, sound effects, and fortune-telling. Apple says it will no longer accept new submissions in these areas unless they offer a meaningfully different or improved experience. Existing apps may also be removed if they aren't updated or fail to attract users.

→ Novelty apps such as drinking games, Kama Sutra titles, and fart and burp apps. Apple openly describes these as "mediocre, low-quality, or low-effort" and says they add no value to the App Store.

Submitting these kinds of apps repeatedly can now lead to a full ban from the Apple Developer Program.

The rules also tighten how developers handle user-generated content. Apps that don't have a clear plan for moderating violations, including pornography, will be blocked from the store. Apple has also explicitly banned developers from using interactive lock-screen notifications for spam, phishing, or any kind of unsolicited messaging.

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https://t.co/5CRBbGUf9T

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🤖 YouTube will now label AI videos itself — even if creators don't

After two years of relying on creators to disclose AI use voluntarily, YouTube is taking over. Starting in May, the platform will automatically detect photorealistic AI content through internal signals and apply a label, whether the creator discloses it or not.

The labels are also getting more visible. For long-form videos, the disclosure now sits directly below the player, above the description. For Shorts, it appears as an overlay on the video itself.

Creators who think their video was wrongly flagged can update the status in YouTube Studio. But the label sticks permanently in two cases: videos made with YouTube's own tools like Veo or Dream Screen, and videos carrying C2PA metadata that confirms they're fully AI-generated.

One key detail for creators: AI labels won't affect recommendations or monetization.

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📱Meta has launched paid subscriptions for Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp

The new Plus tiers are rolling out worldwide:

→ Instagram Plus — $3.99/mo
→ Facebook Plus — $3.99/mo
→ WhatsApp Plus — $2.99/mo

Each plan is tailored to its app. Some of what subscribers get:

→ Profile customization, custom fonts, and Super Heart reactions
→ Story insights, including who rewatched your Story
→ The option to post without appearing in followers' feeds
→ The ability to spotlight a Story for extra reach or extend it past 24 hours
→ Unlimited audience lists beyond Close Friends
→ Extra pinned chats in WhatsApp

The plans are optional and aimed mainly at creators, businesses, and power users. They don't replace Meta Verified, which stays separate for now.

Meta is also testing a new lineup called Meta One in select countries, with tiers up to $50/mo that add Meta AI computing power and perks like higher ranking in social results and a verified badge.

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⌚️ Apple might be slowly losing its grip on wearables

Oura filed for an $11B IPO. Whoop is now valued at $10.1B. Garmin's fitness business is growing fast. Google launched a screenless Fitbit.

Meanwhile, Apple still has no ring, no band, and no real answer to where the category is heading.

Full breakdown ↓

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Full story → https://t.co/45uZ9rZ8No

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🪦 RIP Nvidia Control Panel (2005–2026)

After 20 years, Nvidia has officially ended support for its Control Panel. All graphics settings and driver tools now live in the modern Nvidia App instead of two clunky programs stuck in the Windows XP era.

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Full breakdown → https://t.co/q2BLpYwwok

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⚡ Jony Ive touched a Ferrari

Ferrari has unveiled the Luce, its first fully electric car, designed with former Apple designer Jony Ive. It delivers 1,050 hp, hits 100 km/h in 2.5 seconds, and starts at €550,000.

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Full story → https://t.co/aV5vTg5Olt

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🍣 Sushi or silicon?

Donald Trump reportedly invested up to $5 million in conveyor-belt sushi chain Kura Sushi USA, apparently confusing it with Tokyo-based AI supplier Fujikura. Kura shares rose 5.4% on the news, while Fujikura dropped 45.4% over the past week.

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More details → https://t.co/r1XVeeErgZ

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📱 So this is the iPhone 20

New renders of the rumored iPhone 20 have appeared online, showing Apple's possible anniversary redesign with a nearly bezel-free display that curves on all four sides. The device is expected to launch in 2027.