Digital Communications

Parl panel suggests strict laws, mandatory fact-checking to curb fake news

Calling fake news a threat to public order and democratic process, a parliamentary committee has recommended amending penal provisions, increasing fine and fixing accountability to tackle the challenge. In its draft report adopted on Tuesday, the Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology has also called for mandatory presence of fact-checking mechanism and internal ombudsman in all print, digital and electronic media organisations. Sources said the committee has made a raft of suggestions, including a collaborative effort among all stake-holders covering government, private and independent fact-checkers to tackle the challenge of fake news. The committee headed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey adopted the report unanimously, showing a cross-party support for stepped-up efforts to handle the menace of fake news, the sources added. The Committee desire the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to ensure that fact-checking mechanism and internal ombudsman should be m

Superbloom: Nicholas Carr book says more communication isn't always better

The real threat of AI and LLMs lie not in job loss, but in corporations using them to create endless loops of content tailored to everyone's smallest needs, chaining us to our devices more than ever

Bharti Space to invest $36 million in French satellite major Eutelsat

Eutelsat to raise €1.35 billion via capital increase and rights issue to expand LEO satellite capacity and repay debt; Bharti Space to invest €31.4 million

India will play lead role in tailoring 6G technology regulations: Scindia

A telecommunication revolution is rapidly unfolding across the globe and India is at the forefront of this movement under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Saturday. The Union minister of communications also asserted that in the days to come India will play a leading role in tailoring rules for 6G technology. "The rollout of 5G technology has taken place, and in just 22 months, the information revolution has reached 82 per cent of the population of 99 percent districts in the country. India will take the lead in shaping the upcoming 6G technology regulations," Scindia asserted. He also said new services are being introduced in the postal system, adding that India Post is one of the largest logistics and distribution networks in the world having 1.64 lakh (164,000) post offices and 2.5 lakh (250,000) postal workers. "In 2008, I designed the logo for the Department of Posts, with the slogan 'Postal Service is Public Service.'

Govt to bring Digital Competition Bill after due process: Harsh Malhotra

Minister of State for Corporate Affairs said while strict interventions were required to enforce the law, self-regulation and compliance should also be promoted

Centre to decide on Vodafone Idea's debt conversion after moratorium

The decision to convert principal dues into equity, according to sources, cannot be done automatically

Digital regulation

Proposed competition law should not stifle innovation

Govt to computerise state cooperative registrars, 1,851 ARDBs under CSS

The government on Sunday announced it will computerise state cooperative registrars and 1,851 offices of Agriculture and Rural Development Banks (ARDBs) under a scheme with a budget of Rs 225.09 crore. Currently, the government is computerising all Primary Agriculture Credit Societies (PACS) in the country. "On the lines of the computerisation scheme of all PACS in the country, a centrally sponsored scheme has been approved for computerisation of 1,851 units of ARDBs of 13 states through a national unified software," the cooperation ministry said in a statement. The government has also decided to computerise the offices of Registrar of Cooperatives of all states and Union Territories, it said. A Central Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) will be established, which will work towards the successful implementation of the scheme. "The total estimated expenditure for this scheme will be Rs 225.09 crore," the statement said. The implementation of this scheme will not only enable people to ..

TRAI consultation on encouraging innovative tech via regulatory sandbox

Telecom regulator TRAI has floated a discussion paper on encouraging innovative technologies, services, use cases, and business models through a regulatory sandbox in the digital communication sector. The consultation paper proposes a draft sandbox framework and seeks inputs from stakeholders on its various aspects. This draft sandbox framework includes information on the goals and scope of the architecture, participant eligibility requirements, prerequisites for applicants, supporting materials needed with applications, and application evaluation criteria. Other elements include the application and approval process, waivers or modifications to the rules, validity period, revocation of permission, reporting, an oversight body, and funding of innovation for societal growth. "The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper on Encouraging Innovative Technologies, Services, Use Cases, and Business Models through Regulatory Sandbox in Digital ...

A curious unwinding

A telecom body, initially conceived to cut bureaucratic red tape, is being disbanded without clear reasons

BS BFSI Insight Summit 2022: RBI Deputy Guv M Rajeshwar Rao to speak

Rao looks after the Department of Regulation, the Department of Communication, the Enforcement Department, the Inspection Department, the Legal Department and the Risk Monitoring Department

Communications ministry organises 2-day global IoT/M2M conference in Delhi

With an aim to evolve a synergistic framework for wider collaboration amongst the key stakeholders Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) is organising a two-day global IoT/M2M conference in Delhi, informed the Ministry of Communications on Thursday.The conference was conducted in association with the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India and Telecommunications Standards Development Society India (TSDSI), here yesterday.The conference is centred on the theme 'Growth of IoT/M2M ecosystem through standardised implementations which aims to evolve a synergistic framework for wider collaboration amongst the key stakeholders of IoT/M2M ecosystem spanning R & D, academia, Government, industry, start-ups, global Telecom associations and Standards Development Organisations. This would facilitate the faster development of innovative, standardised and interoperable IoT/M2M solutions for wide-ranging applications in diverse areas."The world is experiencing a new era of a

Meta, Bharti Airtel to bring 'world's longest' subsea cable to India

World's longest subsea cable system aims to provide faster internet to almost 3 billion people

50 mn networking conversations witnessed among rising workforce in Q3: Apna

Apna.co said it has facilitated professional networking through various algorithms and technology tools

Satellite communications to play key role in India's tech ambitions: MoS IT

Satellite communications is emerging as an important part of India's ambitions to scale up quality internet access across the country, Minister of State for IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said on Thursday. For the digital economy and India's growing clout in global technology landscape, satellite communications holds significant relevance, the minister said speaking at India Space Congress 2022. "Our goal...is by 2025-26 to have 1.2 billion Indians have the ability to connect to the internet directly through their device, and...role of satellite communications and space segment is an inherent part of this," Chandrasekhar said. At times, wireless technology may have limitations and "satellite is clearly emerging as an important part of the blueprint of delivering quality internet to all citizens and enterprises of India," he said. Satellite and space, therefore, will be important in the overall mission to ensure delivery of internet and goal of connecting people to the digital ...

Meta-owned Facebook introduces new features, including Reels for Groups

Facebook has announced that it is rolling out more options for people to connect over shared interests, including Reels in Facebook Groups and updates to Group profiles

MoS Devusinh Chauhan highlights India's success in digital infrastructure

Union Minister of State for Communications, Devusinh Chauhan held a bilateral talk with Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation

ONDC a win-win for consumers as plethora of shopping options open up

Sellers too stand to gain from lower commissions and more customers

Opposition and govt supporters now communicate in guerilla warfare mode

Govt should reduce its dependence on social media and revert, if not wholly then in large measure, to older forms of communication, at least on non-political matters

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