Page 3 - Whatsapp

US ends probe into claims WhatsApp chats were reportedly not private

Through much of 2025, the special agent had been looking into claims that some Meta employees and contractors could see the content of encrypted WhatsApp messages

9,400 accounts linked to digital arrest fraud cases removed: WhatsApp to SC

Centre tells SC coordinated push spans scam networks, SIM controls, and AI-led detection

WhatsApp bans 9.4K accounts in digital arrest scams since Jan 2026: Centre

A multi-pronged action involving telecom regulators, service providers, the RBI, tech giants and the CBI has been taken to tackle the rising menace of digital arrest scams, besides WhatsApp banning 9,400 accounts involved in such offences, the Centre has told the Supreme Court. The action was detailed by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) which has filed a comprehensive status report in pursuance of the Supreme Court's directions of February 9 to curb rising cases of digital arrests in the country, according to sources. A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, which had taken suo motu cognisance of online frauds, including digital arrests, had issued a slew of directions including asking the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), and others to jointly hold a meeting to come up with a framework for providing compensation in digital arrest cases. The fresh status report, filed through Attorney ...

WhatsApp introduces prepaid mobile recharges for Jio, Airtel, and Vi

WhatsApp has introduced in-app prepaid mobile recharge for users in India, enabling seamless payments for Jio, Airtel and Vi plans as it expands its payments ecosystem

EU plans antitrust action, may force Meta to restore rival AI on WhatsApp

Under EU rules, competition regulators can order companies to temporarily stop suspect business practices, but these demands can be challenged in the bloc's courts in Luxembourg

DoT may extend SIM-binding deadline for companies till December-end

DoT is learnt to have extended the SIM-binding deadline to December, offering relief to OTT platforms and device makers that flagged technical and operational challenges

Tech Wrap March 30: OPPO Find X9 Ultra, WhatsApp on CarPlay, Blaupunkt

OPPO Find X9 Ultra camera. WhatsApp to get CarPlay experience. Blaupunkt Rock & Roll Ibiza launched. OnePlus India exits offline retail. YouTube on Android Auto. Ray-Ban's prescription smart glass

Tech Wrap March 26: Galaxy A57, A37 launch, Lyria 3 Pro, WhatsApp update

Samsung Galaxy A57, A37 launched. Google releases introduces 3 Pro. WhatsApp's disappearing message feature. Samsung announces Browser for Windows. Realme 16 5G launch on April 2.

Tech Wrap March 18: OPPO Find N6, WhatsApp on Garmin watches, Fortnite

OPPO Find N6 unveiled. Garmin introduced support for WhatsApp messaging. Fortnite to return to India soon. OPPO A6s launched. GPT-5.4 mini, nano AI models launched. Gemini task automation on Pixel 10

Garmin introduces support for WhatsApp messaging on select smartwatches

Garmin has introduced support for WhatsApp messaging on select smartwatches. With this, eligible consumers can now access WhatsApp chats and replies

WhatsApp introduces new parent-managed accounts for children below 13

WhatsApp introduces parent-managed accounts for children under 13, allowing guardians to control contacts, groups and privacy settings from the primary device

Meta to allow AI bot rivals on WhatsApp in bid to stave off EU action

Facing scrutiny from European Union antitrust authorities, Meta says competing AI chatbots will be permitted on WhatsApp in Europe for a year through the Business API, though access will involve fees

WhatsApp Plus subscription may bring themes, custom icons and more features

WhatsApp Plus plan could add app customisation, more pinned chats and exclusive stickers, while core messaging features are expected to remain free

Maharashtra sets up WhatsApp helpline for citizens stranded in West Asia

The Maharashtra government has launched an emergency WhatsApp helpline for hundreds of state residents stranded in the Middle East amid the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict, officials said on Tuesday. According to officials, several hundred people from Maharashtra are stranded in the Middle East due to airspace closure caused by the Iran war, though all are safe. The Chief Minister's office, in a post on X, said that CM Devendra Fadnavis is personally monitoring the situation and is in constant contact with various agencies. He is also coordinating regularly with the Central government, which is extending all possible assistance, while Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan has been tasked with coordination efforts. The CMO further stated that the state government, in coordination with the Indian People's Forum in Dubai, has issued a WhatsApp helpline number +971 50 365 4357 for stranded citizens who require assistance. US President Donald Trump has said that the heavy and pinpoint ..

Govt's SIM binding directive on messaging apps 'ultra vires': Industry body

Broadband India Forum, an industry body that represents major tech firms like Meta, Google, and others, has questioned the legal validity of the government's SIM binding mandate, citing a senior counsel's opinion that termed the direction as "ultra vires the parent legislation" and "unconstitutional". In a letter dated February 23 to the Department of Telecom (DoT) secretary Amit Agrawal, BIF highlighted the legal opinion which concluded that the Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Amendment Rules, 2025, and recent directives regarding 'SIM binding' exceed the authority granted by the parent Telecommunications Act of 2023. The matter pertains to a direction issued by the central government in November that will ensure app-based communication services, the likes of WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, and others, are continuously linked to a user's active SIM card. In fact, Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, earlier this week, in a briefing, made it clear that the decision o

No extension on SIM-binding norms, says Telecom Minister Scindia

Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia says SIM-binding rules for OTT apps will not be extended, citing national security concerns; satellite spectrum pricing decision awaited

Will comply with NCLAT order on data sharing: WhatsApp to Supreme Court

Global tech giants Meta Platforms Inc. and WhatsApp told the Supreme Court on Monday that they will comply with the NCLAT's directions for extending the Competition Commission of India's (CCI) privacy and consent guidelines to advertising-related data. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi was hearing appeals filed by the tech giants against the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal's (NCLAT) directions of December last year. The court is also seized of a cross-appeal filed by the CCI, assailing the NCLAT ruling to the extent that it allowed WhatsApp and Meta to continue sharing users' data for advertising purposes. "These applications essentially seek a direction for a stay of the impugned judgment of the NCLAT to the extent it approves the direction issued by the CCI directing Meta to comply with the impugned directions contained in the NCLAT order dated December 15, 2025, containing certain directions issued to Meta," the CJI ...

Tech Wrap Feb 23: Perplexity in Galaxy AI, Nothing Phone 4a, Kodak TV

Samsung adding Perplexity to Galaxy AI on S26 series. Nothing Phone 4a design revealed. Kodak QD-Mini LED 4K TV launched. iQOO 15R specs unveiled. WhatsApp's anti-spoiler feature

SC to hear Meta-WhatsApp privacy policy case against CCI order on Monday

The Supreme Court is slated to hear on Monday pleas of Meta and WhatsApp against a Competition Commission of India (CCI) order imposing a penalty of Rs 213.14 crore over their privacy policy. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi is likely to hear the matter. On February 3, the bench had made strong observations against Meta Platforms Inc and WhatsApp, saying they could not "play with the right to privacy of citizens in the name of data sharing" and alleged that they were creating a monopoly in the market and committing theft of private information of customers. Decrying WhatsApp's privacy policy, the bench referred to "silent customers" who were unorganised, digitally dependent and unaware of the implications of data-sharing policies, and asserted, "We will not allow the rights of any citizen of this country to be damaged." WhatsApp is owned by Meta Platforms Inc. The top court was hearing the appeals of the t

Tech Wrap Feb 20: Realme P4 Lite, WhatsApp group, Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2

Realme P4 Lite launched. WhatsApp allows sharing group chat history. Amazfit T-Rex Ultra 2 launched. Google rolls out Gemini 3.1 Pro. Samsung releases revamped Bixby in beta. WZATCO Yuva Horizon