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BIF raises concerns over govt directive linking msg apps to active SIMs

Broadband India Forum (BIF) on Tuesday flagged "serious concerns" over the government directive mandating a continuous, active SIM for use of messaging apps, and urged the Centre to pause implementation timelines and hold stakeholder consultations on the SIM-binding issue. BIF said that, while well-intentioned in its stated goal of curbing cyber-fraud originating from abroad, the directions raise significant questions of jurisdiction, consumer impact, and risk, creating obligations that extend far beyond the mandate of the Telecom Act or the purpose of the Telecom Cyber Security Rules. BIF represents major technology firms like Meta, Google, and others, and its latest stance marks another standoff with the telcos' body COAI, which believes the government's latest directive would bolster national security and safeguard citizens. COAI on Monday pledged telecom operators' commitment to supporting the seamless implementation of the directive. "BIF expresses serious concern over the ...

After a dream run, Zoho-run Arattai loses traction on app stores in India

Zoho's messaging app loses momentum after a strong patriotic push, while AI-powered Perplexity sustains top rankings across Google Play and challenges ChatGPT in India

Swadeshi is passe - Indian businesses must learn to compete or fail

When new-age businesses such as mobile telephony opened up, no consumer stopped to ask about Indian mobile phones or Indian service providers

Homegrown Arattai hits top spot on app store: What it is and how it works

Developed by Chennai-based Zoho Corporation, messaging app Arattai has topped the App Store as daily sign-ups surged from 3,000 to 350,000

Message app Signal, used by NSA Waltz, under probe for possible breach

A spokesperson for TeleMessage confirmed the inquiry in a statement on Monday and said the app's services have been temporarily suspended

COAI urges equal cybersecurity rules for telcos, OTT communication apps

Industry body COAI on Tuesday said similar cybersecurity and regulatory rules should govern players, be it telecom operators or OTT communication applications. In a statement on the 'need to address spam calls and messages', the association argued that for a number issued by a telco to a subscriber, the operator takes the onus and responsibility and if required, it can provide all assistance to enforcement agencies. "However, in this same example, there could be instances whereby an OTT Communication Application used on the same number, may be utilised in another handset of the user, carried beyond the limits of a city/state, and may be used for illegal purposes. "Here again, while the telecom number can only be traced to the city where the mobile is residing, there are no ways to trace the activities of the OTT Communication App which was initially issued on the mobile number, but is now running off a separate handset, while the SIM is on a different handset," said Cellular ...

Google Messages may soon get features for improved group chat experience

Google Messages may soon bring features allowing people to share unique links or QR codes to join group chats, reset them when needed, mention others in conversations, and snooze notifications as need

Telegram under scanner for extortion, gambling; messaging app may face ban

Investigation against Telegram is being conducted by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre under the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Billionaire Telegram founder Durov's rebel streak puts freedom at risk

His decision to repeatedly ignore requests from governments to better moderate content on his platform reached a tipping point this weekend, when he was detained in France

Call, messaging apps must comply with rules for nation's security: COAI

Telecom operators expect internet calling and messaging apps like WhatsApp, Google Meet, and Telegram to comply with rules in the same manner as all service providers do, industry body COAI said on Monday. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) -- whose members include Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, among others -- said it is misleading to demand to exclude over-the-top (OTT) communication apps from the Telecommunications Act 2023 as they are subject to other regulations because various non-sectoral rules apply on telecom operators as well. "COAI would like to state that the 'Security of the Country' is of utmost importance and in this regard, all communication service providers, including OTT-based communication services, should adhere to the requisite directives of the country as done by the Telecom Service Providers," COAI Director General SP Kochhar said. He said that telecom operators have invested heavily in setting up the infrastructure for lawful

WhatsApp announces major upgrades to enhance calling experience

Interestingly, WhatsApp also announced that it is allowing more participants in video calls. Now 32 people can get on a video call across all their devices

Soon, Samsung's on-device AI Live Translate feature will work with WhatsApp

Introduced as part of Galaxy AI with the Galaxy S24 series, the on-device AI-based Live Translate feature worked only with Samsung's native dialler app. Now, it is set to expand to third-party apps

Route Mobile public shareholders tender shares worth Rs 2,500 crore

Enterprise messaging firm Route Mobile's public shareholders have tendered shares worth about Rs 2,500 crore at current price for the company's ongoing open offer, according to a regulatory filing. The open offer has been triggered with Belgium-based Proximus Group, through its subsidiary, initially acquiring a 57.56 per cent stake in enterprise messaging firm Route Mobile for Rs 5,922.4 crore in an all-cash deal. The acquisition has triggered an open market offer for the sale of 26 per cent of Route Mobile in compliance with regulatory guidelines. Depending on the outcome of the MTO (mandatory takeover offer), the stake held by Proximus Opal could further increase to around 75 per cent of Route Mobile's shares. "1,57,68,803 equity shares have been tendered in the Escrow Demat Account (with The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC)," Route Mobile said. The tendered period has closed now. Shares of Route Mobile closed at Rs 1,600.65 apiece, down 0.54 per cent, a

WhatsApp rolling out crop tool for drawing editor in Windows beta

Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp is rolling out a new crop tool for the drawing editor in Windows beta

WhatsApp rolling out longer group subjects, descriptions on Android beta

With the new change, the platform is also increasing the group description from 512 characters to 2048 characters

Telegram shares user info with Delhi High Court in copyright case

The plea was filed by Neetu Singh and KD Campus, seeking to restrain users from sharing their videos, lectures, and books on Telegram. The matter will be heard again on February 14 next year

Signal launches new feature allowing users to customise their stories

The new feature will allow stories to automatically expire 24 hours after sharing, but anyone can manually delete them anytime before

Telegram to organise existing username auctions on TON blockchain

Each handle that is placed up for bid will have an additional hour for final bidding and will end in a week

Inbox irritant: Spam, promotional messages flood WhatsApp user accounts

Businesses see it as a way to connect with customers; parent firm says there are easy ways to block an account

WhatsApp tests edit message feature ahead of final release: Details here

WhatsApp is working on a number of updates and improvements to enhance user experience and security on the platform, including an option to edit sent messages