August news digest

August gave us plenty to improve — and plenty to think about. We made AdGuard Ad Blocker more reliable, AdGuard VPN smarter, and gave DNS users more flexibility with our product updates. Then we asked ourselves tougher questions: Why do ads distract kids so much? What does Instagram’s new feature mean for your privacy? And how can you balance everything life throws at you? Find the answers to these and other questions in this digest.

This release includes some under-the-hood improvements, a substantial number of bug fixes, and a CoreLibs update. As a result, overall app stability has been significantly improved.

Find out how AdGuard VPN for Windows v2.7 uses dynamic VPN protocol selection to automatically choose the fastest and most stable connection for you — no manual settings required.

AdGuard VPN for iOS v2.8 improves the protocol selection process by automatically picking the most efficient option, resulting in a faster Internet connection for you.

This version makes branded domains available to a wider audience. Users with a Team subscription can now set up custom domains.

Instagram’s new Maps feature is being marketed as a fun way to “stay up-to-date with friends.” But it’s not just fun, it’s also another step toward normalized surveillance, wrapped in cute UX and deceptive copywriting.

While the headlines focus on publishers and alleged copyright violations, the bigger story is what this means for millions of ordinary users.

We’re sharing the tools and tips that help us fit studying into our schedules and stay sane. Some of them you might already know, and others might surprise you.

Ads are already distracting by their nature, but, as a research shows, children have it far worse than adults. How to save your kids from the ads’ influence?

The wars between Android and iOS supporters never stop. Which one is better? We don’t know, but we can try to find out which one better protects your privacy.