Snapchat users in India&nbsp;encountered a brief interruption in service on Friday (Feb 9) as they experienced&nbsp;challenges in sending messages and snaps to their friends. The issue arose shortly after similar problems were reported with the Groww app. However, the issue was swiftly resolved, and Snapchat returned to normal operation by 1:40 pm.

Many users turned to Elon Musk's social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), to share their difficulties in accessing Snapchat. Some users voiced frustration over their inability to send snaps and messages, while others highlighted issues with uploading images.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-russian-officials-inspect-indias-largest-nuclear-power-plant-688541">Indian &amp; Russian officials inspect India's largest nuclear power plant</a>

According to Downdetector, there were over 3,800 reports of the platform's outage within the last 24 hours. Approximately 24% of users encountered difficulties uploading snaps, while 3% experienced problems accessing Snapchat's website. The map on Downdetector displayed widespread outage across India, including major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai. Despite the extensive disruption, Snapchat has not issued an official statement addressing the outage.

As of now, Snapchat has not provided any updates regarding the nationwide outage. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates promptly upon receiving a response from the app.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/military-troops-in-maldives-to-be-replaced-by-indian-technical-personnel-mea-688587">Military troops in Maldives to be replaced by 'Indian technical personnel': MEA</a>

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Snapchat users in India encountered a brief interruption in service on Friday (Feb 9) as they experienced challenges in sending messages and snaps to their friends.

Snapchat users in India encountered a brief interruption in service on Friday (Feb 9) as they experienced challenges in sending messages and snaps to their friends. The issue arose shortly after similar problems were reported with the Groww app. However, the issue was swiftly resolved, and Snapchat returned to normal operation by 1:40 pm. Many users turned to Elon Musk's social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), to share their difficulties in accessing Snapchat. Some users voiced frustration over their inability to send snaps and messages, while others highlighted issues with uploading images. Also read | Indian & Russian officials inspect India's largest nuclear power plant According to Downdetector, there were over 3,800 reports of the platform's outage within the last 24 hours. Approximately 24% of users encountered difficulties uploading snaps, while 3% experienced problems accessing Snapchat's website. The map on Downdetector displayed widespread outage across India, including major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai. Despite the extensive disruption, Snapchat has not issued an official statement addressing the outage. As of now, Snapchat has not provided any updates regarding the nationwide outage. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates promptly upon receiving a response from the app. Also read | Military troops in Maldives to be replaced by 'Indian technical personnel': MEA (With inputs from agencies)

Snapchat experiences service disruption in India, users unable to send snaps, messages

Huawei Technologies, the Chinese tech giant, is optimistic about its financial prospects in 2023, forecasting a revenue exceeding 700 billion yuan ($98.5 billion), representing a substantial 9 per cent year-over-year growth from the 642.3 billion yuan reported in 2022.&nbsp;

The announcement, made by rotating chairman Ken Hu in an internal new year message, signals Huawei's resilience after facing challenges from US sanctions that impacted crucial business lines, including access to advanced chips.&nbsp;

Expressing gratitude to partners and the Huawei team, Hu acknowledged the collective effort in overcoming obstacles, stating, "Thanks to our partners across the value chain for standing with us through thick and thin. And I'd also like to thank every member of the Huawei team for embracing the struggle – for never giving up." &nbsp;

Hu emphasised that the company has weathered the storm and is now back on track after years of hard work.&nbsp;

Huawei's optimism is bolstered by the better-than-expected performance of its device business segment, which includes the smartphone business. In the internal message, Hu highlighted the segment's resilience and success in 2023. &nbsp;

The launch of the Mate60 series of smartphones in August, powered by domestically developed chipsets, is seen as a significant move marking Huawei's return to the high-end smartphone market after grappling with US sanctions. &nbsp;

Notably, Huawei's smartphone shipments surged by 83 per cent in October year-on-year, contributing to an 11 per cent growth in the overall Chinese smartphone market over the same period, according to Counterpoint.&nbsp;

Looking ahead to 2024, Huawei is strategically focusing on expanding its device business, aiming to double down on its commitment to developing best-in-class products and building a high-end brand with a human touch. &nbsp;

Despite the positive outlook, Huawei acknowledges significant challenges ahead, citing "geopolitical and economic uncertainties" and the ongoing impact of technology restrictions and trade barriers. &nbsp;

In response, Huawei plans to enhance the efficiency of its business operations through initiatives to streamline headquarters, simplify management, and ensure consistent policies, making necessary adjustments where needed.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

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Huawei Technologies, the Chinese tech giant, is optimistic about its financial prospects in 2023, forecasting a revenue exceeding 700 billion yuan ($98.5 billion), representing a substantial 9 per cent year-over-year growth from the 642.

Huawei Technologies, the Chinese tech giant, is optimistic about its financial prospects in 2023, forecasting a revenue exceeding 700 billion yuan ($98.5 billion), representing a substantial 9 per cent year-over-year growth from the 642.3 billion yuan reported in 2022. The announcement, made by rotating chairman Ken Hu in an internal new year message, signals Huawei's resilience after facing challenges from US sanctions that impacted crucial business lines, including access to advanced chips. Expressing gratitude to partners and the Huawei team, Hu acknowledged the collective effort in overcoming obstacles, stating, "Thanks to our partners across the value chain for standing with us through thick and thin. And I'd also like to thank every member of the Huawei team for embracing the struggle – for never giving up." Hu emphasised that the company has weathered the storm and is now back on track after years of hard work. Huawei's optimism is bolstered by the better-than-expected performance of its device business segment, which includes the smartphone business. In the internal message, Hu highlighted the segment's resilience and success in 2023. The launch of the Mate60 series of smartphones in August, powered by domestically developed chipsets, is seen as a significant move marking Huawei's return to the high-end smartphone market after grappling with US sanctions. Notably, Huawei's smartphone shipments surged by 83 per cent in October year-on-year, contributing to an 11 per cent growth in the overall Chinese smartphone market over the same period, according to Counterpoint. Looking ahead to 2024, Huawei is strategically focusing on expanding its device business, aiming to double down on its commitment to developing best-in-class products and building a high-end brand with a human touch. Despite the positive outlook, Huawei acknowledges significant challenges ahead, citing "geopolitical and economic uncertainties" and the ongoing impact of technology restrictions and trade barriers. In response, Huawei plans to enhance the efficiency of its business operations through initiatives to streamline headquarters, simplify management, and ensure consistent policies, making necessary adjustments where needed. (With inputs from Reuters) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Huawei projects 9pc revenue surge in 2023, marking a resilient comeback  

Authors:&nbsp;Daniel Wagner and&nbsp;Giuseppe Del Vecchio*

Cyberspace is the ideal platform for terrorists because, unlike conventional warfare, barriers to entry into cyberspace are much lower. The price of entry is an internet connection. The surreptitious use of the internet to advance terrorist group objectives has created a new brand of Holy War &mdash; &ldquo;virtual jihad&rdquo;&mdash; that gains thousands of new adherents each day. Long after the current terrorist groups have ceased to be a major threat from a physical perspective, they will remain omnipresent in cyberspace, promoting a virtual caliphate from their safe haven behind computer keyboards around the world. Islamic extremists are natural candidates to transition to a virtual world that offers them automatic citizenship beyond the nation-state.

Since the Islamic State (IS) was founded, its leaders have deftly and continually rewritten the narrative to claim that the group&rsquo;s desired caliphate exists, has a specific location and maintains a defined group of adherents. Unconstrained by the absence of a definitive Quranic guideline for what constitutes a caliphate, IS created its own self-promoting doctrine. The group expanded its caliphate narrative to include a wide range of options for participation: Membership included everyone from the passive observer reading a blog or curiously following a Twitter feed to the keyboard jihadist editing Rumiyah or hacking a website to the real-world operators attacking a nightclub or running down holiday celebrants with a delivery truck.

IS has successfully exploited the sociopolitical environment and young adults&rsquo; obsession with technology to establish a growing community of devotees in the ungoverned territory of cyberspace, ensuring its ability to continue to coordinate and inspire violence well into the future. IS has found its own salvation via the internet, particularly since it has already passed the peak of its real-world power.

The Islamic State has also capitalised on the world&rsquo;s evolving propensity to integrate online activities with real-world activities. Social media has had an incredible multiplying effect on radical messaging and IS has had great success publishing online, which has resonated particularly well with disenfranchised Muslims and youths, causing some to act on inspiration and guidance received online. IS has exploited their search for meaningful identity by promising to restore their dignity so that they may find personal fulfilment and purpose.

Virtual world

The virtual world is in some ways more compelling than the real world because storylines can be artfully crafted for maximum appeal while omitting anything that may be perceived as negative. A promise is much easier to make online, as is the vision of fulfilling aspirations. IS has created virtual messaging that is wildly at odds with the reality of life as an IS fighter on the ground. Cyberspace has enabled the group to turn tactical defeats on the battlefield into glorious martyrdom operations that highlight the bravery and commitment of its fighters. The loss of territory and the deaths of key leaders have served to feed propaganda efforts that are used to prove the resiliency of the caliphate.

Since all that is required to be a virtual planner is an internet connection and good encryption, they can operate from anywhere, although being geographically dispersed carries the heightened risk of detection in some nations. The virtual planner model has revolutionised jihadist external operations. IS has taken advantage of recent advances in online communications and encryption so that the group&rsquo;s top operatives can directly guide lone attackers, playing a central role in the conceptualisation, target selection, timing and execution of future attacks. Virtual planners offer operatives the same services once provided by strictly physical networks. They seamlessly execute the group&rsquo;s guiding strategy and maximize the impact and propaganda value of attacks waged in its name, while avoiding many of the risks typically associated with physical training operatives, such as being tailed or getting caught returning to a home country.

Integrated into the group&rsquo;s geographical command structure, virtual planners function much like theatre commanders, but in the cyber realm. IS virtual planners are also assigned areas of responsibility according to their nationality and linguistic skills and are tasked with actively recruiting and handling attackers from these areas.

Global brand

The advancement of internet-based communication and the explosion of social media have enabled the planner to reach a larger audience than ever before. By building an &ldquo;intimate&rdquo; relationship with a potential attacker, the virtual planner provides encouragement and validation, addressing the individual&rsquo;s doubts and hesitations while generating confidence and a strong desire to carry out an attack. Virtual planners can replicate the same social pressures that exist with in-person cells. Individuals can simply wander into searchable online networks rather than identify with and be socialised by covert in-person networks. Unlike with physical networks, the virtual planner model does not risk the capture or punishment of the network&rsquo;s key operatives.

Individuals inspired by IS can directly reach out to virtual planners for guidance and assistance in carrying out attacks. In addition to recruitment and operational guidance, virtual planners can bring disparate individuals and cells together to form larger attack networks. IS virtual planners allow the group to effectively seize ownership over what would previously have been considered lone-wolf attacks. Virtual planners transform these individuals into ambassadors for the IS global brand at relatively low cost. Virtual planners help maximize the psychological and reputational impact of violence committed in the IS name, further enticing other potential devotees to join its cause.

The success of the virtual-planner model underscores the ongoing process of organisational learning by jihadist groups. But the model also has disadvantages, such as the inability to provide in-person training or be optimally nimble during an attack to modify plans as circumstances change. Cells directed by virtual planners are also at greater risk of being detected by signals intelligence, despite advances in end-to-end encryption. Nonetheless, the virtual planner approach is a low-cost, high-reward strategy with enormous destructive potential, especially as IS and other terrorist groups continue to refine the model.

Adaptations to jihadists&rsquo; modes of operation have continually outpaced states&rsquo; ability to effectively counter them, and will likely continue to do so. Virtual jihad has not only gained prominence and credibility as an alternative to traditional conceptions of jihad but has also progressively outpaced physical jihad. Although physical jihad continues to appeal to a great many actors, its virtual incarnation has supplanted traditional notions of jihad for a new generation of adherents who are either unwilling or unable to engage in physical violence themselves. The rise of the virtual jihadist has assumed an important (perhaps irreplaceable) role in rejuvenating the concept of jihad and facilitating the dissemination of its &ldquo;counterculture&rdquo; narrative to new audiences for many years to come.

This <a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/region/middle_east_north_africa/islamic-state-caliphate-jihad-online-world-news-headlines-today-17655/" rel="nofollow">article</a> has been originally published in <a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/" rel="nofollow">Fair Observer</a>.

*Giuseppe Del Vecchio is a research analyst at Country Risk Solutions.

(Disclaimer: Both authors write here in a personal capacity).

The Islamic State is increasingly going online to ensure its survival

Authors: Daniel Wagner and Giuseppe Del Vecchio* Cyberspace is the ideal platform for terrorists because, unlike conventional warfare, barriers to entry into cyberspace are much lower. The price of entry is an internet connection. The surreptitious use of the internet to advance terrorist group objectives has created a new brand of Holy War — “virtual jihad”— that gains thousands of new adherents each day. Long after the current terrorist groups have ceased to be a major threat from a physical perspective, they will remain omnipresent in cyberspace, promoting a virtual caliphate from their safe haven behind computer keyboards around the world. Islamic extremists are natural candidates to transition to a virtual world that offers them automatic citizenship beyond the nation-state. Since the Islamic State (IS) was founded, its leaders have deftly and continually rewritten the narrative to claim that the group’s desired caliphate exists, has a specific location and maintains a defined group of adherents. Unconstrained by the absence of a definitive Quranic guideline for what constitutes a caliphate, IS created its own self-promoting doctrine. The group expanded its caliphate narrative to include a wide range of options for participation: Membership included everyone from the passive observer reading a blog or curiously following a Twitter feed to the keyboard jihadist editing Rumiyah or hacking a website to the real-world operators attacking a nightclub or running down holiday celebrants with a delivery truck. IS has successfully exploited the sociopolitical environment and young adults’ obsession with technology to establish a growing community of devotees in the ungoverned territory of cyberspace, ensuring its ability to continue to coordinate and inspire violence well into the future. IS has found its own salvation via the internet, particularly since it has already passed the peak of its real-world power. The Islamic State has also capitalised on the world’s evolving propensity to integrate online activities with real-world activities. Social media has had an incredible multiplying effect on radical messaging and IS has had great success publishing online, which has resonated particularly well with disenfranchised Muslims and youths, causing some to act on inspiration and guidance received online. IS has exploited their search for meaningful identity by promising to restore their dignity so that they may find personal fulfilment and purpose. Virtual world The virtual world is in some ways more compelling than the real world because storylines can be artfully crafted for maximum appeal while omitting anything that may be perceived as negative. A promise is much easier to make online, as is the vision of fulfilling aspirations. IS has created virtual messaging that is wildly at odds with the reality of life as an IS fighter on the ground. Cyberspace has enabled the group to turn tactical defeats on the battlefield into glorious martyrdom operations that highlight the bravery and commitment of its fighters. The loss of territory and the deaths of key leaders have served to feed propaganda efforts that are used to prove the resiliency of the caliphate. Since all that is required to be a virtual planner is an internet connection and good encryption, they can operate from anywhere, although being geographically dispersed carries the heightened risk of detection in some nations. The virtual planner model has revolutionised jihadist external operations. IS has taken advantage of recent advances in online communications and encryption so that the group’s top operatives can directly guide lone attackers, playing a central role in the conceptualisation, target selection, timing and execution of future attacks. Virtual planners offer operatives the same services once provided by strictly physical networks. They seamlessly execute the group’s guiding strategy and maximize the impact and propaganda value of attacks waged in its name, while avoiding many of the risks typically associated with physical training operatives, such as being tailed or getting caught returning to a home country. Integrated into the group’s geographical command structure, virtual planners function much like theatre commanders, but in the cyber realm. IS virtual planners are also assigned areas of responsibility according to their nationality and linguistic skills and are tasked with actively recruiting and handling attackers from these areas. Global brand The advancement of internet-based communication and the explosion of social media have enabled the planner to reach a larger audience than ever before. By building an “intimate” relationship with a potential attacker, the virtual planner provides encouragement and validation, addressing the individual’s doubts and hesitations while generating confidence and a strong desire to carry out an attack. Virtual planners can replicate the same social pressures that exist with in-person cells. Individuals can simply wander into searchable online networks rather than identify with and be socialised by covert in-person networks. Unlike with physical networks, the virtual planner model does not risk the capture or punishment of the network’s key operatives. Individuals inspired by IS can directly reach out to virtual planners for guidance and assistance in carrying out attacks. In addition to recruitment and operational guidance, virtual planners can bring disparate individuals and cells together to form larger attack networks. IS virtual planners allow the group to effectively seize ownership over what would previously have been considered lone-wolf attacks. Virtual planners transform these individuals into ambassadors for the IS global brand at relatively low cost. Virtual planners help maximize the psychological and reputational impact of violence committed in the IS name, further enticing other potential devotees to join its cause. The success of the virtual-planner model underscores the ongoing process of organisational learning by jihadist groups. But the model also has disadvantages, such as the inability to provide in-person training or be optimally nimble during an attack to modify plans as circumstances change. Cells directed by virtual planners are also at greater risk of being detected by signals intelligence, despite advances in end-to-end encryption. Nonetheless, the virtual planner approach is a low-cost, high-reward strategy with enormous destructive potential, especially as IS and other terrorist groups continue to refine the model. Adaptations to jihadists’ modes of operation have continually outpaced states’ ability to effectively counter them, and will likely continue to do so. Virtual jihad has not only gained prominence and credibility as an alternative to traditional conceptions of jihad but has also progressively outpaced physical jihad. Although physical jihad continues to appeal to a great many actors, its virtual incarnation has supplanted traditional notions of jihad for a new generation of adherents who are either unwilling or unable to engage in physical violence themselves. The rise of the virtual jihadist has assumed an important (perhaps irreplaceable) role in rejuvenating the concept of jihad and facilitating the dissemination of its “counterculture” narrative to new audiences for many years to come. This article has been originally published in Fair Observer. *Giuseppe Del Vecchio is a research analyst at Country Risk Solutions. (Disclaimer: Both authors write here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: The Islamic State is ready to wage 'virtual jihad'

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