Page 14 - Whatsapp

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

Tech wrap Aug 26: iPhone 16 launch, WhatsApp AR features, Meta Quest, more

Apple could launch the iPhone 16 series on September 10. Meta mulls affordable Quest headset. WhatsApp tests AR effects and filters in video calls on iPhone app

WhatsApp tests augmented reality video call effects, filters on iPhone app

The features are accessible to some beta testers on the latest version of WhatsApp beta for iOS from the TestFlight app, they will be available widely in the upcoming weeks

Iranian hackers targeted WhatsApp of staffers in Biden, Trump admins: Meta

The same Iranian hacking group believed to have targeted both the Democratic and Republican presidential campaigns, tried to go after the WhatsApp accounts of staffers in the administrations of President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, Meta Platforms said Friday. Meta said it discovered the network of hackers, who posed as tech support agents for companies including Microsoft and Google, after individuals who received the suspicious WhatsApp messages reported them. Meta's investigators linked the activity to the same network blamed for the hacking incident reported by Trump's campaign. The FBI this week said a hack by Iran of the Trump campaign and an attempted breach of the Biden-Harris campaign was part of a broader Iranian effort to interfere with the U.S. presidential election. A statement Friday from Meta, the parent of Facebook and Instagram, said that the hackers had tried to target the WhatsApp account of individuals in the Middle East, the United States and the

WhatsApp tests usernames in shift from phone numbers for privacy: Know more

This feature, currently available in WhatsApp Android beta version 2.24.18.2, aims to enhance privacy and protect users against spam

Tech wrap Aug 19: Fortnite, Instagram, Google Maps for WearOS, and more

Fortnite returns to Android. Instagram explores vertical profile grid. Google Maps for Wear OS adds offline navigation. Age of Empires Mobile to launch on iOS and Android on Oct 17

WhatsApp tests feature to block messages from unknown numbers: How it works

WhatsApp's block messages from unknown account feature aims to enhance user protection by blocking messages from unknown contacts that exceed a certain threshold

Tech wrap Aug 15: Samsung Circle to Search, WhatsApp GIPHY stickers, more

Samsung expands Circle to Search. WhatsApp adds GIPHY sticker collection. Google announces price cuts on Pixel 8 series, Pixel 7a. Lenovo Legion Tab now available in India

WhatsApp gets GIPHY's sticker collection, custom sticker maker, and more

Custom Sticker Maker tool on Android lets users create and edit their own stickers. Users can also ask Meta AI to generate a sticker from scratch which can be shared with others

Meta raises its largest high-grade debt sale of $10.5 billion: Report

The longest portion of the deal, a 40-year security, yields 1.3 percentage points above Treasuries after initial discussions of around 1.55 percentage points

Meta AI on WhatsApp for Android could get support for voice inputs: Report

Meta AI on WhatsApp for Android currently supports text inputs, but the new beta version hints that voice support could be available alongside text input on the instant messaging platform soon

Meta reports better-than-expected sales in Q2, shares jump by 10%

Meta has been using AI to improve the way its advertisers can find interested users, adding efficiency to its most lucrative business

Pakistan's 'Beep' messaging app launch raises citizen concerns: Here's why

Previously referred to as a "WhatsApp killer," the Beep Pakistan app is being touted by the critics as part of a broader government strategy to control online discourse and limit access to informatio

Instagram to allow users create their own chatbots through AI studio

The broader universe of Instagram users will be able to make a themed chatbot for their profile, for example a bot focused on mixed martial arts, dining or pets

Tech wrap Jul 30: iOS 18.1 dev beta, WhatsApp, Realme 13 Pro series, more

iOS 18.1 developer beta introduces Apple Intelligence on iPhone 15 Pro models. Qualcomm launches Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 for budget 5G smartphones. Realme 13 Pro series 5G smartphones launched

Now, you can recharge Delhi Metro pass on WhatsApp: Here is how it works

Powered by PeLocal, DMRC's WhatsApp-based ticketing service is available across all lines operating in Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR) regions, including Gurugram Rapid Metro

WhatsApp not planning to shut services in India: I&B Minister Vaishnaw

WhatsApp and its parent company Meta has not informed the government of any plans to shut down its services in India, I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told the Rajya Sabha on Friday. "Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has shared that WhatsApp or Meta has not informed the government about any such plans," Vaishnaw told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply. Congress member Vivek Tankha had asked whether WhatsApp was planning to shut its services in India due to the government's directives to share user details. Earlier this year, WhatsApp had told the Delhi High Court that it will stop functioning in India if it was compelled by the government to break encryption of messages. WhatsApp and its parent company Meta had challenged the newly amended IT Rules contending that they violate the right to privacy and were unconstitutional. Responding to Tankha's question on curbs on social media platforms, Vaishnaw said the central government issues directions under Section

Meta AI gets support for Hindi, new features on WhatsApp, Instagram, more

Meta is also exploring ways to integrate AI into the Quest headset. In a preview, it shows how AI will allow users to ask questions about what they see in their surrounding

Tech wrap Jul 23: iOS 18, Redmi Pad Pro launch, WhatsApp, Vivo V40, more

Apple on track to publicly release iOS 18 in September. Xiaomi set to launch Redmi Pad Pro on July 29. WhatsApp tests Airdrop like offline sharing option on iOS. Vivo V40 launching in India soon

WhatsApp explores Airdrop like offline sharing file option on iOS: Report

Reportedly, the latest beta version of WhatsApp on iOS shows the Nearby Share option, which lets users to share data across platform wirelessly and without internet connection