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Voice-based communication Voice-based communication is becoming a routine part of how many young people connect online. Instead of typing long messages or joining crowded social feeds, a growing number of users now prefer speaking directly through audio rooms and short voice chats. Several recent studies on digital habits in India, including reports from industry trackers such as Data.ai and Redseer, note a steady rise in time spent on voice-first apps, especially among people aged 18 to 30.Researchers studying digital behaviour say that voice chats feel more natural and less demanding than video calls. They also point out that many young people, especially in non-metro regions, use inexpensive phones with limited typing comfort, making voice a more practical choice. Additionally, most of voice conversations allow users to express tone and emotion more easily, something text often fails to capture. FRND, an audio-based social platform launched in 2019, is one example of this shift. As per the figures shared by the company in its latest usage summary, the app records around 29 million conversations each month. These interactions mostly come from smaller cities and towns, where young users often look for simple and low-pressure ways to talk to others. The app runs in ten Indian languages, which helps it reach students, first-time internet users, and people who feel more comfortable speaking than typing.&nbsp;<h2>What Report says</h2>

Reports from Kantar and IAMAI indicate that India’s internet population is increasingly choosing interactive formats voice notes, audio rooms, and short voice messages over long text exchanges. These shift reflects young people preference for quick, conversational communication rather than heavy scrolling or posting. As more and more youth adopt this simple, low-barrier ways of talking online, voice chats appear set to remain a common part of everyday digital life. The numbers coming in from various platforms show a clear pattern: young users want conversations that feel direct, easy and closer to real life.

More young people now prefer voice-based communication online. It feels natural, faster than typing, and easier than video. Reports show a steady shift towards simple audio conversations, especially among users in smaller towns.

Voice-based communication Voice-based communication is becoming a routine part of how many young people connect online. Instead of typing long messages or joining crowded social feeds, a growing number of users now prefer speaking directly through audio rooms and short voice chats. Several recent studies on digital habits in India, including reports from industry trackers such as Data.ai and Redseer, note a steady rise in time spent on voice-first apps, especially among people aged 18 to 30. Researchers studying digital behaviour say that voice chats feel more natural and less demanding than video calls. They also point out that many young people, especially in non-metro regions, use inexpensive phones with limited typing comfort, making voice a more practical choice. Additionally, most of voice conversations allow users to express tone and emotion more easily, something text often fails to capture. FRND, an audio-based social platform launched in 2019, is one example of this shift. As per the figures shared by the company in its latest usage summary, the app records around 29 million conversations each month. These interactions mostly come from smaller cities and towns, where young users often look for simple and low-pressure ways to talk to others. The app runs in ten Indian languages, which helps it reach students, first-time internet users, and people who feel more comfortable speaking than typing. What Report says

More young people now prefer voice-based communication online. It feels natural, faster than typing, and easier than video. Reports show a steady shift towards simple audio conversations, especially among users in smaller towns.

Young internet users turning to voice chats for daily interaction

Five days after the Indian government mandated that all mobile phones sold in the country come with the Sanchar Saathi app pre-installed, it has now decided to retract that directive. A statement from the Ministry of Communications confirmed this move on Wednesday (December 3), explaining that due to the app's growing popularity, making it compulsory was no longer necessary.&nbsp;India telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified in the Lok Sabha that the government was open to revising the rule if legitimate concerns were raised. Initially issued on November 28, the mandate required all new devices in India to have the Sanchar Saathi app pre-loaded, and language in the directive indicated that users wouldn't be able to remove or disable it. This sparked concerns among privacy advocates and civil society groups, who feared the app could be used as a government surveillance tool.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-absolute-chaos-indigo-faces-backlash-over-several-flight-delays-and-chaos-at-airports-carrier-issues-statement-1764760088964">'Absolute chaos': IndiGo faces backlash over several flight delays and chaos at airports; carrier issues statement</a>&nbsp;The government soon reassured the public that users could uninstall the app, but privacy issues persisted. Scindia argued in Parliament that the app does not collect personal data and is designed solely to help users combat cyber fraud. According to Neeraj Mittal, Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the decision to revoke the mandate followed the app's significant uptake, with over 600,000 new registrations in just one day. This surge in adoption, Mittal said, proved that citizens were confident in the app’s utility for fraud prevention.&nbsp;Despite the reversal, some in the mobile manufacturing industry welcomed the decision. The opposition, however, criticised the move, accusing the government of attempting to create a surveillance state under the guise of safety. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera argued that the Sanchar Saathi app could give authorities access to private data, drawing parallels to the Pegasus spyware scandal.&nbsp;The Sanchar Saathi app has been downloaded by over 14 million users, contributing to daily reports of around 2,000 fraud incidents. The government hopes that by making the app more accessible, even those less familiar with its features will benefit from its fraud-prevention tools.

After backlash, government withdraws directive requiring Sanchar Saathi app on all new smartphones

Five days after the Indian government mandated that all mobile phones sold in the country come with the Sanchar Saathi app pre-installed, it has now decided to retract that directive. A statement from the Ministry of Communications confirmed this move on Wednesday (December 3), explaining that due to the app's growing popularity, making it compulsory was no longer necessary. India telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified in the Lok Sabha that the government was open to revising the rule if legitimate concerns were raised. Initially issued on November 28, the mandate required all new devices in India to have the Sanchar Saathi app pre-loaded, and language in the directive indicated that users wouldn't be able to remove or disable it. This sparked concerns among privacy advocates and civil society groups, who feared the app could be used as a government surveillance tool. Also Read: 'Absolute chaos': IndiGo faces backlash over several flight delays and chaos at airports; carrier issues statement The government soon reassured the public that users could uninstall the app, but privacy issues persisted. Scindia argued in Parliament that the app does not collect personal data and is designed solely to help users combat cyber fraud. According to Neeraj Mittal, Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the decision to revoke the mandate followed the app's significant uptake, with over 600,000 new registrations in just one day. This surge in adoption, Mittal said, proved that citizens were confident in the app’s utility for fraud prevention. Despite the reversal, some in the mobile manufacturing industry welcomed the decision. The opposition, however, criticised the move, accusing the government of attempting to create a surveillance state under the guise of safety. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera argued that the Sanchar Saathi app could give authorities access to private data, drawing parallels to the Pegasus spyware scandal. The Sanchar Saathi app has been downloaded by over 14 million users, contributing to daily reports of around 2,000 fraud incidents. The government hopes that by making the app more accessible, even those less familiar with its features will benefit from its fraud-prevention tools.

India's government reverses mandate requiring the Sanchar Saathi app to be pre-installed on mobile phones after public backlash and privacy concerns

When Russian President Vladimir Putin visits India this week, the two nations are expected to further boost civil nuclear cooperation. The Russian cabinet has reportedly cleared an MoU to this effect. Russia’s Rosatom is already building several nuclear reactors at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The Russian atomic energy agency will sign the MoU with Indian authorities. This is the latest in more than half a century of civil nuclear cooperation between India and Russia, dating back to the Soviet Union days. Here is a timeline.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-russia-putin-s-first-india-visit-amid-ukraine-war-to-focus-on-s-400-su-57-jets-1764730039832/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-russia-putin-s-first-india-visit-amid-ukraine-war-to-focus-on-s-400-su-57-jets-1764730039832/embed</a><h2>The Soviet-era cooperation with India on civil nuclear cooperation</h2>At the height of the Soviet Union’s emergence as a global power in the 1950s and 1960s, India maintained broad scientific and technical exchanges with the nation.&nbsp;India’s first nuclear test in 1974 under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi caused outrage among Western powers, but the Soviet Union stood by New Delhi, continuing its stable political relations. In 1988, India and the Soviet Union signed the first pact on civil nuclear cooperation, to build two VVER-1000 reactors at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu. But in the years that followed, the Soviet Union collapsed, and Russia became one of the several new states emerging from the Union.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-president-putin-s-india-visit-full-schedule-key-meetings-and-strategic-announcements-1764741554697">Russian President Putin's India visit: Full schedule, key meetings and strategic announcements</a><h2>1990s to 2000s: Slow progress as Russia emerges from Soviet Union collapse</h2>As Russia struggled with the dissolution of the Soviet Union and its economic impact, the Kudankulam project slowed down. But the 2000s saw the revival and expansion of cooperation, with agreements reactivating the 1988 plan. Contracts for Kudankulam Units 1 and 2 were finalised, and the construction of the plant began in 2002. Around this time, Russia stood by India even as much of the Western world, led by the United States, tried to stymie India’s progress towards nuclear energy, especially after the Pokhran nuclear tests of 1998 that led to several sanctions.In 2008, India got the Nuclear Suppliers Group waiver, which lifted global restrictions on nuclear trade with India despite it being a non-signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty or NPT. Russia continued to be a key supporter and supplier of India, fulfilling its nuclear energy ambitions, with agreements on fuel supply and more reactor units.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/putin-modi-bromance-times-when-russian-president-and-indian-pm-put-their-chemistry-on-full-display-1764703942216">Putin-Modi bromance: Times when Russian president and Indian PM put their chemistry on full display</a><h2>2010s: Commissioning and new construction of nuclear power projects</h2>Major operational milestones came in the 2010s, with Kudankulam Unit 1 reaching criticality in 2013. It entered commercial operation in 2014. Unit 2 achieved criticality in 2016 and began commercial operation in 2017. These two reactors rely on Russian VVER-1000 technology and Russian enriched uranium fuel.In 2014, the two countries signed a strategic cooperation vision, outlining long-term collaboration and expansion of nuclear sites. The groundwork for Units 3 and 4 at Kudankulam was carried out in 2017–2018. Agreements for Units 5 and 6 were completed too.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-president-vladimir-putin-arrives-in-delhi-tomorrow-for-high-stakes-india-visit-modi-meet-amid-strengthening-ties-1764745421461">Putin arrives in Delhi tomorrow for high-stakes India visit amid strengthening ties</a><h2>Continuing cooperation despite geopolitical headwinds</h2>Despite the Covid pandemic and events like the Russia–Ukraine war, the India-Russia cooperation continued, including on civil nuclear energy. Russia gives steady fuel and technical support to the reactors. Construction of Units 3 through 6 at Kudankulam is ongoing, with commissioning dates likely between 2026 and 2029.There have been discussions on new nuclear sites in India as well as small modular reactors.A monument to the India–Russia cooperation, Kudankulam stands tall as India’s largest nuclear power complex. Russia remains India’s only foreign partner in building nuclear power reactors on Indian soil, with lifetime fuel-supply commitments for all VVER units.

When the West shunned India over its nuclear tests, Russia stood by it. India–Russia civil nuclear cooperation, which started from the Soviet Union era, spans decades, with Kudankulam reactors at the heart of this collaboration.



When Russian President Vladimir Putin visits India this week, the two nations are expected to further boost civil nuclear cooperation. The Russian cabinet has reportedly cleared an MoU to this effect. Russia’s Rosatom is already building several nuclear reactors at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The Russian atomic energy agency will sign the MoU with Indian authorities. This is the latest in more than half a century of civil nuclear cooperation between India and Russia, dating back to the Soviet Union days. Here is a timeline. https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-russia-putin-s-first-india-visit-amid-ukraine-war-to-focus-on-s-400-su-57-jets-1764730039832/embed The Soviet-era cooperation with India on civil nuclear cooperation At the height of the Soviet Union’s emergence as a global power in the 1950s and 1960s, India maintained broad scientific and technical exchanges with the nation. India’s first nuclear test in 1974 under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi caused outrage among Western powers, but the Soviet Union stood by New Delhi, continuing its stable political relations. In 1988, India and the Soviet Union signed the first pact on civil nuclear cooperation, to build two VVER-1000 reactors at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu. But in the years that followed, the Soviet Union collapsed, and Russia became one of the several new states emerging from the Union. Also read: Russian President Putin's India visit: Full schedule, key meetings and strategic announcements 1990s to 2000s: Slow progress as Russia emerges from Soviet Union collapse As Russia struggled with the dissolution of the Soviet Union and its economic impact, the Kudankulam project slowed down. But the 2000s saw the revival and expansion of cooperation, with agreements reactivating the 1988 plan. Contracts for Kudankulam Units 1 and 2 were finalised, and the construction of the plant began in 2002. Around this time, Russia stood by India even as much of the Western world, led by the United States, tried to stymie India’s progress towards nuclear energy, especially after the Pokhran nuclear tests of 1998 that led to several sanctions. In 2008, India got the Nuclear Suppliers Group waiver, which lifted global restrictions on nuclear trade with India despite it being a non-signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty or NPT. Russia continued to be a key supporter and supplier of India, fulfilling its nuclear energy ambitions, with agreements on fuel supply and more reactor units. Also read: Putin-Modi bromance: Times when Russian president and Indian PM put their chemistry on full display 2010s: Commissioning and new construction of nuclear power projects Major operational milestones came in the 2010s, with Kudankulam Unit 1 reaching criticality in 2013. It entered commercial operation in 2014. Unit 2 achieved criticality in 2016 and began commercial operation in 2017. These two reactors rely on Russian VVER-1000 technology and Russian enriched uranium fuel. In 2014, the two countries signed a strategic cooperation vision, outlining long-term collaboration and expansion of nuclear sites. The groundwork for Units 3 and 4 at Kudankulam was carried out in 2017–2018. Agreements for Units 5 and 6 were completed too. Also read: Putin arrives in Delhi tomorrow for high-stakes India visit amid strengthening ties Continuing cooperation despite geopolitical headwinds Despite the Covid pandemic and events like the Russia–Ukraine war, the India-Russia cooperation continued, including on civil nuclear energy. Russia gives steady fuel and technical support to the reactors. Construction of Units 3 through 6 at Kudankulam is ongoing, with commissioning dates likely between 2026 and 2029. There have been discussions on new nuclear sites in India as well as small modular reactors. A monument to the India–Russia cooperation, Kudankulam stands tall as India’s largest nuclear power complex. Russia remains India’s only foreign partner in building nuclear power reactors on Indian soil, with lifetime fuel-supply commitments for all VVER units.

When the West shunned India over its nuclear tests, Russia stood by it. India–Russia civil nuclear cooperation, which started from the Soviet Union era, spans decades, with Kudankulam reactors at the heart of this collaboration

Putin India visit: How India–Russia civil nuclear cooperation stood the test of time in spite of global headwinds

You ask a question, or put a few keywords into Google’s search bar. You get a search result page, with the top section featuring a bunch of paragraphs collected by Google’s powerful AI-bot Gemini. The links to relevant websites are provided at the end of these paragraphs in a “blink and you will miss” clip icon. Most of your query has been answered in this section. Would you waste your time clicking to open the website link from which Google collected the answer, and read it? Most likely, no. That’s the new user experience trend, which means you will never read the website article which Google milked for the summarised answers. That’s zero-click for you, in simplest terms. It’s extremely convenient for the internet user. But it’s a nightmare for digital publishers, who often spend millions of dollars creating teams, investing in research and journalism, and building website designs and infrastructure.<h2>Zero-click traffic apocalypse: 60 per cent of search queries end without a direct click to website pages</h2>Call it Zero-click searches, zero-click results or Google Zero — it all means the same thing: search queries where the answer is complete or sufficient directly on Google’s search results page (SERP), without any need to click through to external websites. Google is going big on this, with featured snippets, knowledge panels, direct-answer boxes, ‘People Also Ask’ (PAA) results, and AI overviews.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/-milestone-quarter-sundar-pichai-reveals-google-s-bumper-earnings-amid-ai-boom-1761807089387">'Milestone quarter': Sundar Pichai reveals Google's bumper earnings amid AI boom</a><h2>Zero-Click searches are growing at mindboggling rates</h2>A 2024 study by SparkToro found that 58.5 per cent of Google searches in the US ended with zero clicks; in the European Union the rate was nearly 60 per cent. In other words, out of 1,000 Google searches in the US, only about 360–374 result in users clicking on external websites — the rest stay within Google’s first-page, top part. The global zero-click rate could be around 60 per cent in 2025, according to some reports. This could be even higher on mobile phones.By early 2025, AI Overviews — Google's synthesising of content from multiple sources into easy-to-read, conversational summaries at the top of SERPs — became increasingly common. Independent analyses indicate that when such overviews appear, click-through rates (CTR) for traditional links drop sharply: about 34 per cent fall in CTR for the top organic result when an AI-generated summary is present, in some cases.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-could-change-ai-google-gemini-is-performing-strong-even-without-nvidia-gpus-1763599705063">‘Could change AI’: Google Gemini is performing strong even without Nvidia GPUs</a><h2>What does Zero-click mean for online publishers?</h2>Publishers who depend on organic search traffic, ad revenue and affiliate links are feeling the pain. News and informational sites have reported traffic drops, with zero-click results particularly dominating in daily news-related searches. Estimates for such zero-click results vary from around 56 per cent in mid-2024 to roughly 69 per cent by mid-2025. Websites that used to get monthly visits of 2.3 billion saw declines to roughly 1.7 billion after widespread AI-overview rollout. Organic referral traffic — once at the core of the publishing business — is down, with the worst-affected sites reporting declines of up to 80 per cent.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/google-invests-2-billion-in-ai-startup-652910/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/google-invests-2-billion-in-ai-startup-652910/embed</a><h2>Traffic apocalypse and the impending end of the “click economy”</h2>When pageviews go down, ad impressions, subscriptions, conversions and affiliate revenue also fall. Informational content like how-tos, 'what is' articles, and other evergreen content are hit hardest. This is the kind of content once optimised for SEO, and even advocated by Google.&nbsp;But even if a page ranks on top of Google search results now, there is no guarantee of traffic when the SERP itself supplies the answer.<h2>Old game of search engine optimisation is dying</h2>It is no longer enough to only rank on the first page of Google results — even first position no longer guarantees clicks. Publishers are scrambling for answers. They are trying to create content that adds unique value, such as exclusive insights, deep analysis, data-driven reporting, or long-form narratives, hoping that users cannot get those from a quick AI summary.&nbsp;Google-mediated traffic is no longer a surefire method to earn revenue. The only way out seems to be going directly to readers to pay: through subscription models, direct apps with adverts, or memberships.<h2>From SEO to GEO</h2>The new buzzword is “Generative Engine Optimisation” (GEO), which is about publishing content designed to be cited by Google AI Overviews. This would require good metadata, structured data or schema markup, clarity, freshness, reliability and novelty, among other things.Research on generative-search behaviour shows that only high-quality or well-structured web pages tend to get citations from Google AI. Low-quality or poorly organised content gets buried — even if it ranks well in traditional search results.While this means convenience for users, it is a massive disruption for both big publishers and small content creators — particularly those depending on search traffic for revenue.

Zero-click searches are growing on Google as AI Overviews overtake traditional search results. When users get answers on Google without visiting websites, the resulting traffic apocalypse is bleeding web publishers both big and small.


You ask a question, or put a few keywords into Google’s search bar. You get a search result page, with the top section featuring a bunch of paragraphs collected by Google’s powerful AI-bot Gemini. The links to relevant websites are provided at the end of these paragraphs in a “blink and you will miss” clip icon. Most of your query has been answered in this section. Would you waste your time clicking to open the website link from which Google collected the answer, and read it? Most likely, no. That’s the new user experience trend, which means you will never read the website article which Google milked for the summarised answers. That’s zero-click for you, in simplest terms. It’s extremely convenient for the internet user. But it’s a nightmare for digital publishers, who often spend millions of dollars creating teams, investing in research and journalism, and building website designs and infrastructure. Zero-click traffic apocalypse: 60 per cent of search queries end without a direct click to website pages Call it Zero-click searches, zero-click results or Google Zero — it all means the same thing: search queries where the answer is complete or sufficient directly on Google’s search results page (SERP), without any need to click through to external websites. Google is going big on this, with featured snippets, knowledge panels, direct-answer boxes, ‘People Also Ask’ (PAA) results, and AI overviews. Also read: 'Milestone quarter': Sundar Pichai reveals Google's bumper earnings amid AI boom Zero-Click searches are growing at mindboggling rates A 2024 study by SparkToro found that 58.5 per cent of Google searches in the US ended with zero clicks; in the European Union the rate was nearly 60 per cent. In other words, out of 1,000 Google searches in the US, only about 360–374 result in users clicking on external websites — the rest stay within Google’s first-page, top part. The global zero-click rate could be around 60 per cent in 2025, according to some reports. This could be even higher on mobile phones. By early 2025, AI Overviews — Google's synthesising of content from multiple sources into easy-to-read, conversational summaries at the top of SERPs — became increasingly common. Independent analyses indicate that when such overviews appear, click-through rates (CTR) for traditional links drop sharply: about 34 per cent fall in CTR for the top organic result when an AI-generated summary is present, in some cases. Also read: ‘Could change AI’: Google Gemini is performing strong even without Nvidia GPUs What does Zero-click mean for online publishers? Publishers who depend on organic search traffic, ad revenue and affiliate links are feeling the pain. News and informational sites have reported traffic drops, with zero-click results particularly dominating in daily news-related searches. Estimates for such zero-click results vary from around 56 per cent in mid-2024 to roughly 69 per cent by mid-2025. Websites that used to get monthly visits of 2.3 billion saw declines to roughly 1.7 billion after widespread AI-overview rollout. Organic referral traffic — once at the core of the publishing business — is down, with the worst-affected sites reporting declines of up to 80 per cent. https://www.wionews.com/videos/google-invests-2-billion-in-ai-startup-652910/embed Traffic apocalypse and the impending end of the “click economy” When pageviews go down, ad impressions, subscriptions, conversions and affiliate revenue also fall. Informational content like how-tos, 'what is' articles, and other evergreen content are hit hardest. This is the kind of content once optimised for SEO, and even advocated by Google. But even if a page ranks on top of Google search results now, there is no guarantee of traffic when the SERP itself supplies the answer. Old game of search engine optimisation is dying It is no longer enough to only rank on the first page of Google results — even first position no longer guarantees clicks. Publishers are scrambling for answers. They are trying to create content that adds unique value, such as exclusive insights, deep analysis, data-driven reporting, or long-form narratives, hoping that users cannot get those from a quick AI summary. Google-mediated traffic is no longer a surefire method to earn revenue. The only way out seems to be going directly to readers to pay: through subscription models, direct apps with adverts, or memberships. From SEO to GEO The new buzzword is “Generative Engine Optimisation” (GEO), which is about publishing content designed to be cited by Google AI Overviews. This would require good metadata, structured data or schema markup, clarity, freshness, reliability and novelty, among other things. Research on generative-search behaviour shows that only high-quality or well-structured web pages tend to get citations from Google AI. Low-quality or poorly organised content gets buried — even if it ranks well in traditional search results. While this means convenience for users, it is a massive disruption for both big publishers and small content creators — particularly those depending on search traffic for revenue.

Zero-click searches are growing on Google as AI Overviews overtake traditional search results. When users get answers on Google without visiting websites, the resulting traffic apocalypse is bleeding web publishers both big and small.

Google TRAFFIC APOCALYPSE: Zero click nightmare for websites as 'AI Answers' slowly kill an entire industry

Australia is about to roll out one of the toughest social media age rules in the world, and YouTube is hitting back hard. On Wednesday (Dec 3), the social media giant lashed out at the land down under, saying that the new ban on under-16s will do the opposite of what the government claims and could actually make kids less safe online. So what's going on here? WION Explains.<h2>What the new law does</h2>In a first-of-its-kind legislation, from December 10, anyone under 16 in Australia will be blocked from creating or using accounts on major social platforms. That includes Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube. Kids will still be able to visit some sites without signing in, but many core features will disappear. On YouTube, they will lose access to features like "wellbeing settings" and "safety filters".The government argues this is needed because social media algorithms push harmful content at young users, and parents simply can't monitor everything. Communications Minister Anika Wells went as far as calling the online environment a kind of "purgatory" for teens, shaped by algorithms that target their insecurities.According to the Australian government, the ban will be far from perfect from day one. Some kids will slip through, but the law gives regulators more leverage to force platforms to change. Companies that don't take what authorities consider "reasonable steps" to comply could face fines of $49.5 million (US$32 million).<h2>Why YouTube is furious</h2>YouTube says the law is "rushed," misguided, and based on a misunderstanding of how young people use the platform. The company's public policy manager, Rachel Lord, says under the new rules, YouTube will have to automatically sign out all Australian users under 16, based on the age listed in their Google accounts. "This law will not fulfil its promise to make kids safer online, and will, in fact, make Australian kids less safe on YouTube," he said.Kids could still watch videos without logging in, but they would lose tools meant to make the platform safer, including content filters and digital well-being settings. YouTube argues that stripping these features away will leave teens more exposed, not less. "We've heard from parents and educators who share these concerns," said Lord.YouTube had expected to avoid the ban altogether. The platform was originally seen as an exception because many students rely on it for educational videos. But the government hardened its stance in July, saying young users needed to be shielded from "predatory algorithms".<h2>What happens to kids’ accounts</h2>YouTube says it won't delete anything. Instead, it will archive underage accounts until the user turns 16. When they come back, all their content and settings will be waiting for them. "At YouTube, we believe in protecting kids&nbsp;in&nbsp;the digital world, not from&nbsp;the digital world."<h2>Australia hits back at YouTube</h2>Wells dismissed the company's complaints as "outright weird," arguing that if YouTube is suggesting its logged-out experience is unsafe, that’s YouTube’s problem to fix. "If YouTube is&nbsp;reminding us all that it is not safe&nbsp;and there's content not appropriate&nbsp;for age-restricted users on their&nbsp;website, that's a problem that&nbsp;YouTube needs to fix," she said.<h2>Will the ban actually work?</h2>Currently, "the algorithm will attack them so deftly, so subtly, it resembles an embrace. Their interactions will be unsupervised and weaponised because their parents can't watch them 24/7," Communications Minister Wells told reporters."With one law, we can protect Generation Alpha from being sucked into purgatory by the predatory algorithms," she said. She noted that some teenagers had killed themselves as algorithms "latched on" targeting them with content that drained their self-esteem.Australia concedes the rollout will be messy. Younger teens might find workarounds. Wells said that the nation is open to banning more platforms if it finds that children are migrating to alternative platforms.The landmark law could trigger similar legislation elsewhere. Malaysia is already planning a similar rule, and New Zealand is moving in the same direction.&nbsp;

Australia will ban anyone under 16 from using major social media platforms starting Dec 10, including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat. YouTube says the law will make kids less safe. WION explains: the law, YouTube's concerns and more.

Australia is about to roll out one of the toughest social media age rules in the world, and YouTube is hitting back hard. On Wednesday (Dec 3), the social media giant lashed out at the land down under, saying that the new ban on under-16s will do the opposite of what the government claims and could actually make kids less safe online. So what's going on here? WION Explains. What the new law does In a first-of-its-kind legislation, from December 10, anyone under 16 in Australia will be blocked from creating or using accounts on major social platforms. That includes Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube. Kids will still be able to visit some sites without signing in, but many core features will disappear. On YouTube, they will lose access to features like "wellbeing settings" and "safety filters". The government argues this is needed because social media algorithms push harmful content at young users, and parents simply can't monitor everything. Communications Minister Anika Wells went as far as calling the online environment a kind of "purgatory" for teens, shaped by algorithms that target their insecurities. According to the Australian government, the ban will be far from perfect from day one. Some kids will slip through, but the law gives regulators more leverage to force platforms to change. Companies that don't take what authorities consider "reasonable steps" to comply could face fines of $49.5 million (US$32 million). Why YouTube is furious YouTube says the law is "rushed," misguided, and based on a misunderstanding of how young people use the platform. The company's public policy manager, Rachel Lord, says under the new rules, YouTube will have to automatically sign out all Australian users under 16, based on the age listed in their Google accounts. "This law will not fulfil its promise to make kids safer online, and will, in fact, make Australian kids less safe on YouTube," he said. Kids could still watch videos without logging in, but they would lose tools meant to make the platform safer, including content filters and digital well-being settings. YouTube argues that stripping these features away will leave teens more exposed, not less. "We've heard from parents and educators who share these concerns," said Lord. YouTube had expected to avoid the ban altogether. The platform was originally seen as an exception because many students rely on it for educational videos. But the government hardened its stance in July, saying young users needed to be shielded from "predatory algorithms". What happens to kids’ accounts YouTube says it won't delete anything. Instead, it will archive underage accounts until the user turns 16. When they come back, all their content and settings will be waiting for them. "At YouTube, we believe in protecting kids in the digital world, not from the digital world." Australia hits back at YouTube Wells dismissed the company's complaints as "outright weird," arguing that if YouTube is suggesting its logged-out experience is unsafe, that’s YouTube’s problem to fix. "If YouTube is reminding us all that it is not safe and there's content not appropriate for age-restricted users on their website, that's a problem that YouTube needs to fix," she said. Will the ban actually work? Currently, "the algorithm will attack them so deftly, so subtly, it resembles an embrace. Their interactions will be unsupervised and weaponised because their parents can't watch them 24/7," Communications Minister Wells told reporters. "With one law, we can protect Generation Alpha from being sucked into purgatory by the predatory algorithms," she said. She noted that some teenagers had killed themselves as algorithms "latched on" targeting them with content that drained their self-esteem. Australia concedes the rollout will be messy. Younger teens might find workarounds. Wells said that the nation is open to banning more platforms if it finds that children are migrating to alternative platforms. The landmark law could trigger similar legislation elsewhere. Malaysia is already planning a similar rule, and New Zealand is moving in the same direction.

Australia will ban anyone under 16 from using major social media platforms starting Dec 10, including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat. YouTube says the law will make kids less safe. WION explains: the law, YouTube's concerns and more.

Australia bans under-16s from social media, but YouTube warns it could make them less safe. Here's how

Elon Musk’s idea of a post-work society, mentioned most recently in his podcast with Nikhil Kamath, is raising both curiosity and eyebrows. He envisages a world where work would be optional, with AI and AI-powered robots doing most tasks for humans. Work would then become similar to a hobby, as people automate most of their functions, and everyone receives a universal high income or UHI. It could be the world’s most ridiculous idea, the perfect marketing strategy to sell more of Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robots, or a landmark prediction of our society’s future shape in the coming decades. Whatever your take on it is, let us understand what Musk means by a post-work society and its key features.<h2>Post-work society: Elon Musk's ‘Protopia’ vision</h2>In Musk’s vision, nearly all human labour, both manual and intellectual, would soon be automated. This, he argues, will bring about an “age of abundance” or a post-scarcity economy. Work would no longer be a means of survival but an optional pursuit, similar to gardening your own vegetables rather than buying them from a supermarket. This is his vision of a gradually improving world, which he calls Protopia. In this world, scarcities would be eliminated, except in the case of intentionally limited or naturally constrained resources such as land.AI would be the “magic genie”: delivering personalised education, providing superhuman medical care, entertainment, and unlimited goods and services.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/elon-musk-says-we-may-live-in-a-simulation-reignites-digital-universe-debate-1764731779847/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/elon-musk-says-we-may-live-in-a-simulation-reignites-digital-universe-debate-1764731779847/embed</a><h2>When will a post-work society come into being?</h2>According to Musk, there is an 80 per cent chance of post-work societies emerging within the next 10 to 20 years. But he also believes there are risks if AI “doesn’t prioritise truth and beauty”.But Musk once worried about automation displacing jobs. What changed? Musk spoke about his fears of automation back in 2016. But since then, he has become more optimistic. He is now less concerned about unemployment and more focused on ‘shared prosperity’. Much of his inspiration comes from science fiction works like Iain M. Banks’s Culture series, which depicts societies where AI ensures abundance while humans pursue creativity and exploration.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/world-to-see-a-major-war-in-5-10-years-elon-musk-s-major-prediction-leaves-internet-speculating-1764681973948">World to see a major war in 5-10 years? Elon Musk’s major prediction leaves internet speculating</a><h2>How will people earn a living in Musk’s post-work world?</h2>Musk is a proponent of the concept of Universal High Income (UHI), as opposed to people earning wages from employment. He envisions UHI as an unconditional financial distribution to all individuals, far above the level of Universal Basic Income (UBI). UHI would cover things beyond basic necessities such as food and shelter. The high standard of living would be funded by productivity gains from AI and robotics, in Musk's view.Labour would be effectively zero cost when robots and AI operate across manufacturing, logistics, farming and services. This would generate enormous wealth, enabling equitable redistribution, potentially via a robot tax or direct AI-generated value.Abundance of resources would be the result when AI eliminates production bottlenecks and drives down the cost of everything, from housing to healthcare.“There will be no shortage of goods and services, and money will no longer be a ‘database for labour allocation’ but a tool for optional exchanges,” Musk predicts.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/should-us-end-h-1b-programme-know-what-elon-musk-thinks-about-indian-immigrants-donald-trump-elon-musk-tesla-immigration-indian-immigration-us-1764519420595">Should US end H-1B programme? Know what Elon Musk thinks about Indian immigrants</a>So why would people still want to work?In Musk’s view, work would exist only for self-fulfilment, for example in art, science, or volunteering, not for income.He is not clear, however, on how people will find meaning and purpose in a jobless world.<h2>Musk thinks humanoid robots will outnumber humans by 2030</h2>Musk is optimistic about the rapid expansion of AI robots, but critics like Bill Gates argue that the world is not yet ready for full income guarantees, and instead seeks the retraining of workers on new technolgies.Musk’s ideas, despite UHI being framed as an equaliser, also risk deepening inequality if the benefits of AI are captured by a small elite.<h2>In a post-work society, does everyone have to buy a robot?</h2>Nobody buys a power plant to receive electricity. Similarly, Musk argues that individuals will not need to buy their own AI or robots. In a world enabled by AI and robotics, goods and services would become extremely cheap or even free. Once nearly all physical and cognitive labour is performed by robots and AI at near-zero marginal cost, the cost of food, housing, clothing, healthcare, transport, education and entertainment would collapse, in his view. Even the cost of raw materials and energy would fall, as robots mine, refine and transport everything.“The cost of goods and services will approach zero, just like the cost of searching on Google is essentially zero today,” he has said.<h2>A cheque in your account? How universal high income works</h2>The enormous economic surplus would be redistributed as a monthly payment to every adult, and possibly children, similar to certain existing child-payment schemes in the United States.This high income would allow people to live comfortably, not merely survive. Under UHI, even the poorest people would have enough money to cover the few remaining costs in society, such as land, experiences and rare physical items.In this world, robots and AI would become so ubiquitous that they would be provided like utilities or services, not sold as consumer products, just as one does not need to buy a ChatGPT server to get answers to queries. &nbsp;Governments or companies would own billions of robots and rent them out through tiny subscriptions.“In a future of abundance, there will be no poverty… Everyone will have access to whatever goods and services they want,” Musk said.<h2>The pitfalls of Musk's future vision without work</h2>Almost sounding like a socialist, the potential trillionaire claims that “the poorest person in that world will live better than the richest person today in almost every way, except perhaps square footage of land”.But many questions remain unanswered: corruption, the concentration of AI and robotics power in a handful of firms or governments, the use of autonomous machines in warfare, and the erosion of wages before the post-work society is established, which risks worsening income inequalities.Musk believes that the same forces eliminating jobs will also end scarcity and poverty, creating a world of abundance. He argues that poverty would be impossible in such a society.Do you think Musk should travel the current world a little more, disguised as a commoner, as former kings once did, to see what is really happening on the ground?

Elon Musk imagines an AI and robotics-driven post-work society. Robots would help provide an abundance of goods and services. Wages would be replaced by a universal high income. Work would become optional, like a hobby. But will this end inequality, power concentration and social risks?


Elon Musk’s idea of a post-work society, mentioned most recently in his podcast with Nikhil Kamath, is raising both curiosity and eyebrows. He envisages a world where work would be optional, with AI and AI-powered robots doing most tasks for humans. Work would then become similar to a hobby, as people automate most of their functions, and everyone receives a universal high income or UHI. It could be the world’s most ridiculous idea, the perfect marketing strategy to sell more of Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robots, or a landmark prediction of our society’s future shape in the coming decades. Whatever your take on it is, let us understand what Musk means by a post-work society and its key features. Post-work society: Elon Musk's ‘Protopia’ vision In Musk’s vision, nearly all human labour, both manual and intellectual, would soon be automated. This, he argues, will bring about an “age of abundance” or a post-scarcity economy. Work would no longer be a means of survival but an optional pursuit, similar to gardening your own vegetables rather than buying them from a supermarket. This is his vision of a gradually improving world, which he calls Protopia. In this world, scarcities would be eliminated, except in the case of intentionally limited or naturally constrained resources such as land. AI would be the “magic genie”: delivering personalised education, providing superhuman medical care, entertainment, and unlimited goods and services. https://www.wionews.com/videos/elon-musk-says-we-may-live-in-a-simulation-reignites-digital-universe-debate-1764731779847/embed When will a post-work society come into being? According to Musk, there is an 80 per cent chance of post-work societies emerging within the next 10 to 20 years. But he also believes there are risks if AI “doesn’t prioritise truth and beauty”. But Musk once worried about automation displacing jobs. What changed? Musk spoke about his fears of automation back in 2016. But since then, he has become more optimistic. He is now less concerned about unemployment and more focused on ‘shared prosperity’. Much of his inspiration comes from science fiction works like Iain M. Banks’s Culture series, which depicts societies where AI ensures abundance while humans pursue creativity and exploration. Also read: World to see a major war in 5-10 years? Elon Musk’s major prediction leaves internet speculating How will people earn a living in Musk’s post-work world? Musk is a proponent of the concept of Universal High Income (UHI), as opposed to people earning wages from employment. He envisions UHI as an unconditional financial distribution to all individuals, far above the level of Universal Basic Income (UBI). UHI would cover things beyond basic necessities such as food and shelter. The high standard of living would be funded by productivity gains from AI and robotics, in Musk's view. Labour would be effectively zero cost when robots and AI operate across manufacturing, logistics, farming and services. This would generate enormous wealth, enabling equitable redistribution, potentially via a robot tax or direct AI-generated value. Abundance of resources would be the result when AI eliminates production bottlenecks and drives down the cost of everything, from housing to healthcare. “There will be no shortage of goods and services, and money will no longer be a ‘database for labour allocation’ but a tool for optional exchanges,” Musk predicts. Also read: Should US end H-1B programme? Know what Elon Musk thinks about Indian immigrants So why would people still want to work? In Musk’s view, work would exist only for self-fulfilment, for example in art, science, or volunteering, not for income. He is not clear, however, on how people will find meaning and purpose in a jobless world. Musk thinks humanoid robots will outnumber humans by 2030 Musk is optimistic about the rapid expansion of AI robots, but critics like Bill Gates argue that the world is not yet ready for full income guarantees, and instead seeks the retraining of workers on new technolgies. Musk’s ideas, despite UHI being framed as an equaliser, also risk deepening inequality if the benefits of AI are captured by a small elite. In a post-work society, does everyone have to buy a robot? Nobody buys a power plant to receive electricity. Similarly, Musk argues that individuals will not need to buy their own AI or robots. In a world enabled by AI and robotics, goods and services would become extremely cheap or even free. Once nearly all physical and cognitive labour is performed by robots and AI at near-zero marginal cost, the cost of food, housing, clothing, healthcare, transport, education and entertainment would collapse, in his view. Even the cost of raw materials and energy would fall, as robots mine, refine and transport everything. “The cost of goods and services will approach zero, just like the cost of searching on Google is essentially zero today,” he has said. A cheque in your account? How universal high income works The enormous economic surplus would be redistributed as a monthly payment to every adult, and possibly children, similar to certain existing child-payment schemes in the United States. This high income would allow people to live comfortably, not merely survive. Under UHI, even the poorest people would have enough money to cover the few remaining costs in society, such as land, experiences and rare physical items. In this world, robots and AI would become so ubiquitous that they would be provided like utilities or services, not sold as consumer products, just as one does not need to buy a ChatGPT server to get answers to queries. Governments or companies would own billions of robots and rent them out through tiny subscriptions. “In a future of abundance, there will be no poverty… Everyone will have access to whatever goods and services they want,” Musk said. The pitfalls of Musk's future vision without work Almost sounding like a socialist, the potential trillionaire claims that “the poorest person in that world will live better than the richest person today in almost every way, except perhaps square footage of land”. But many questions remain unanswered: corruption, the concentration of AI and robotics power in a handful of firms or governments, the use of autonomous machines in warfare, and the erosion of wages before the post-work society is established, which risks worsening income inequalities. Musk believes that the same forces eliminating jobs will also end scarcity and poverty, creating a world of abundance. He argues that poverty would be impossible in such a society. Do you think Musk should travel the current world a little more, disguised as a commoner, as former kings once did, to see what is really happening on the ground?

Elon Musk imagines an AI and robotics-driven post-work society. Robots would help provide an abundance of goods and services. Wages would be replaced by a universal high income. Work would become optional, like a hobby. But will this end income and power inequality? &nbsp;

All those who work are fools? Elon Musk's 'Protopian' idea of post-work society and what it means for wage earners

India's telecommunications ministry has issued a private directive requiring all smartphone manufacturers to preload the Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app on all new devices, according to a government order seen by news agency Reuters. This mandate is expected to trigger tension, particularly with Apple, a company that has traditionally resisted such requirements.&nbsp;India is home to one of the world’s largest mobile phone markets, boasting over 1.2 billion subscribers. Since its introduction in January, the Sanchar Saathi app has reportedly helped recover more than 700,000 stolen phones, including 50,000 in October alone. The new government directive, which came into effect on November 28, gives smartphone makers 90 days to ensure that the app is preloaded onto all newly sold phones. The app must be non-removable by users, and phones already in circulation are required to receive the app through a software update.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/10-reasons-why-indian-supreme-court-is-right-in-seeking-social-media-content-regulation-the-menace-of-freedom-without-accountability-1764325546435">10 reasons why Indian Supreme Court is right in seeking social media content regulation: The menace of freedom without accountability</a>&nbsp;The government claims this initiative is essential to counteract cybersecurity risks, including fraud involving duplicate or counterfeit IMEI numbers, which can lead to scams and misuse of the mobile network. Apple, known for restricting the installation of third-party or government apps on its devices before sale, is one of the major companies affected by this new rule, alongside other manufacturers like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.&nbsp;The app is designed to help users report suspicious calls, verify IMEI numbers, and block stolen phones using a centralized database. According to the government, it has proven effective in preventing cybercrimes, with more than 5 million downloads and the blocking of over 3.7 million stolen devices. It has also led to the termination of more than 30 million fraudulent connections.&nbsp;Despite its success, the government's decision has sparked concern among industry players who feel that there was insufficient consultation with companies before the order was finalized. The telecom ministry has not yet commented on the matter, nor have Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi responded to requests for clarification.

India wants every smartphone preloaded with THIS cybersecurity app. What does it mean for you?

India's telecommunications ministry has issued a private directive requiring all smartphone manufacturers to preload the Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app on all new devices, according to a government order seen by news agency Reuters. This mandate is expected to trigger tension, particularly with Apple, a company that has traditionally resisted such requirements. India is home to one of the world’s largest mobile phone markets, boasting over 1.2 billion subscribers. Since its introduction in January, the Sanchar Saathi app has reportedly helped recover more than 700,000 stolen phones, including 50,000 in October alone. The new government directive, which came into effect on November 28, gives smartphone makers 90 days to ensure that the app is preloaded onto all newly sold phones. The app must be non-removable by users, and phones already in circulation are required to receive the app through a software update. Also Read: 10 reasons why Indian Supreme Court is right in seeking social media content regulation: The menace of freedom without accountability The government claims this initiative is essential to counteract cybersecurity risks, including fraud involving duplicate or counterfeit IMEI numbers, which can lead to scams and misuse of the mobile network. Apple, known for restricting the installation of third-party or government apps on its devices before sale, is one of the major companies affected by this new rule, alongside other manufacturers like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi. The app is designed to help users report suspicious calls, verify IMEI numbers, and block stolen phones using a centralized database. According to the government, it has proven effective in preventing cybercrimes, with more than 5 million downloads and the blocking of over 3.7 million stolen devices. It has also led to the termination of more than 30 million fraudulent connections. Despite its success, the government's decision has sparked concern among industry players who feel that there was insufficient consultation with companies before the order was finalized. The telecom ministry has not yet commented on the matter, nor have Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi responded to requests for clarification.

According to reports, India's telecom ministry mandates the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on all smartphones to enhance cybersecurity, raising concerns from Apple and others

Elon Musk has again said that the future shaped by artificial intelligence and robotics. And in in future, people will live with a choice to work rather than a need to work. Elon Musk shared this view during a conversation with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath on the People by WTF podcast released on 30 November.&nbsp;Musk has made similar predictions earlier, but this is one of his most direct statements on how fast he believes the shift will happen.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Interview with Nikhil <a href="https://t.co/4mmIo9rcKw">https://t.co/4mmIo9rcKw</a>&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1995277243325850034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Musk repeats his prediction about work becoming optional</h2>Speaking on the podcast, Musk said, “My prediction is that, in the future, working will be optional. People can play this back in 20 years and say it was wrong, but I think it will be correct.”He added that advances in AI and robotics will likely reach this stage in “less than 20 years, maybe even 10 or 15”.&nbsp;Musk compared this future to how people today can choose to grow vegetables in their garden, or just directly getting from shops. In other words, work may become something people do for interest, not for survival.&nbsp;<h2>AI and robotics at the centre of the prediction</h2>Musk has often spoken about the rapid progress in automation. According to him, AI systems and robots will soon handle most routine and even advanced tasks. This, he said, could remove the economic pressure on people to work full-time jobs.He also acknowledged that listeners may question the prediction later, but insisted he expects it to be accurate based on the current pace of technological development.&nbsp;

Speaking on Nikhil Kamath’s podcast on 30 November, Elon Musk said "It may not be that far in the future. Maybe... I say in less than 20 years, working will be optional. Working at all will be optional. (It will be) Like a hobby, pretty much,"

Elon Musk has again said that the future shaped by artificial intelligence and robotics. And in in future, people will live with a choice to work rather than a need to work. Elon Musk shared this view during a conversation with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath on the People by WTF podcast released on 30 November. Musk has made similar predictions earlier, but this is one of his most direct statements on how fast he believes the shift will happen.

Speaking on Nikhil Kamath’s podcast on 30 November, Elon Musk said "It may not be that far in the future. Maybe... I say in less than 20 years, working will be optional. Working at all will be optional. (It will be) Like a hobby, pretty much,"

AI and robots will do most jobs, working will be optional in 20 years, says Elon Musk

Hearing petitions of YouTuber Ranveer Allahabadia (or BeerBiceps) and others from the controversial India Got Latent show, the Supreme Court on Thursday (Nov 27) asked the Indian government what it was doing to regulate social-media content creators. Looking at the sheer volume of harmful, misleading or vulgar content churned out daily on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, it is hard to argue with the Court’s concerns. India today faces a Molotov cocktail of limitless freedom of speech, with near-zero accountability. The apex court noted that self-regulation has failed, hinting that creators cannot simply build their own channels and claim they answer nobody. The justices said that once the objectionable content is up, it goes viral so fast that no authority can control its impact later. This is a different world from phone calls or private conversations. Social media platforms amplify creators to millions, and cannot hide behind the alibi that they are only the conduits of communication. The consequences of harmful, misleading or plainly wrong posts are immediate and far-reaching. Here are 10 reasons why regulation is urgently needed, and why the Supreme Court is right about it.<h2>Paid podcasts without transparency: The new-age fraud of YouTube</h2>Across YouTube and other platforms, creators have been running high-profile podcasts sponsored by the invitees themselves, reportedly for millions of rupees, without full disclosure. In these completely choreographed charades, private individuals, companies and political groups, and even government agencies are parading falsehoods as gospel truth. Guests are asked soft-ball questions, and their products and services get promoted. Audiences have no clue about the money changing hands under the podcast tables. Stealth advertising is aired without proper classification, and political messaging is masquerading as 'neutral' conversation.<h2>Fake 'rich lifestyles' and the mental-health fallout</h2>Instagram and YouTube are awash with self-declared “millionaires” flaunting cars, luxury vacations and designer brands. Most of them turn out to be rented, borrowed or staged, sometimes with the connivance of the companies involved. But fear of missing out makes young viewers click on this content, and equate worth with wealth. This then leads to comparison anxiety, body-image issues and feelings of failure. The Supreme Court’s concern about unregulated monetisation of such content could be indirectly hitting at these creators who make money by pushing illusions that harm impressionable audiences.<h2>Content-creator rivalries escalating into real violence</h2>The last few years have seen rival influencers engaging in public feuds, doxxing, cyberbullying and, in some cases, physical fights and even gun violence. The Elvish Yadav controversies, the shootings linked to vlogger feuds, and street fights livestreamed for views show how online rivalries spill into the real world. Creators are weaponising audiences and escalating conflict for clicks.<h2>The menace of fake gurus and ‘spiritual healers’</h2>YouTube, Instagram and Facebook host self-styled gurus offering miracle cures, aura cleansing, “manifestation coaching” or chant-based healing, none of which have any scientific basis. These content creators are exploiting the distress of viewers. They are encouraging vulnerable people to abandon real medical treatment for their physical and mental health issues, and instead peddling mystical cures. Without regulation, this commoditising of faith and normalising of superstitions for ad revenue will continue to flourish.<h2>'Anti-national' posts with no factual basis</h2>There are a plethora of conspiracy theories, manipulated videos or fabricated “alerts” that portray institutions, communities and even public figures as enemies of the nation. Such videos and posts travel faster than fact-checkers can track or react. To address this, we should pay heed to the Indian top court's observation that online spaces cannot become zones where anything can be said without responsibility.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/samay-raina-s-india-s-got-latent-makes-a-comeback-on-youtube-months-after-controversy-involving-ranveer-allahbadia-1750659111756">Samay Raina's India's Got Latent makes a comeback on YouTube months after controversy involving Ranveer Allahbadia</a><h2>Whitewashing criminals and financial fraudsters</h2>Recently, several YouTubers invited controversial figures – from criminals to financial fraudsters – to podcasts for 'exclusive tell-all interviews'. Some of these went on for hours, presenting these individuals as misunderstood heroes. With no fact-checking or ethical guidelines in place, this type of content - which often goes viral - sanitises wrongdoing and trivialises victims’ experiences, years of fact-based investigative reportage, and court proceedings. Indian content space is now living in an era of rewarding this notoriety.<h2>Vulgarity and shock content disguised as comedy</h2>Many creators, including those behind India Got Latent, made it fashionable to use profanity, explicit jokes, sexualised thumbnails or offensive skits for views. Age restrictions are easily bypassed, with minors ending up as the audience. The Supreme Court’s remarks about obscene content reflect an urgent concern: when vulgarity becomes the easiest route to fame, platforms end up normalising harmful and unsocial behaviour.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/are-you-a-social-media-creator-brace-for-control-as-indian-top-court-asks-govt-on-regulation-mechanisms-1764238797065">Are you a social media creator? Brace for control, as Indian top court asks government on regulation&nbsp;mechanisms</a><h2>Fake business gurus, finfluencers and fitness advisors: Loss of money and health</h2>Both in the main content and through advertising on YouTube and other social media platforms, recent years have seen a proliferation of financial and stock-market advisors without any qualifications. These 'finfluencers' promise guaranteed returns, promote high-risk schemes, or push dubious “wealth systems” and get-rich-quick plans. A similar menace exists in the health influencer market. Anybody can peddle anything these days as a cure for any illness. Raw diets, extreme fasting or herbal powders are offered as cures. Their content blurs the line between advice and manipulation.&nbsp;Many people lose money by following the stock-investing advice, and lose health due to the 'medical advice' videos, but often do not know where to complain.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-s-got-latent-controversy-sc-slams-comics-over-disability-jokes-orders-public-apology-1756135758542">https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-s-got-latent-controversy-sc-slams-comics-over-disability-jokes-orders-public-apology-1756135758542</a><h2>Dagger in the cloak: The spread of pseudoscience and superstition</h2>From vastu “fixes” to cow-urine remedies, from past-life regression shows to out-of-body travel claims and alien stories, Indian social media hosts hours of pseudoscience content framed as authentic knowledge. The creators and their hosts speak with such confidence, poise and cinematic flair that unscientific ideas appear credible to the unsuspecting viewer. The steady erosion of rational and scientific thinking is the result. Slowly, those who question these superstitions are being painted as opposing certain religions or rituals.<h2>AI-driven harms: Deepfakes, voice clones and nudify apps</h2>Recent years have seen most of the main social media players embracing AI-generated content. Creators can now openly fabricate political speeches, make family members beg for money using voice clones, or generate explicit images of women – including politicians, celebrities and actresses – without their consent or knowledge. This is a technology that the current laws of India are yet to catch up with. There are no rules about clearly identifying AI-generated content as such. Tracing and takedown are nearly impossible, also because of how many videos can be created from a single prompt on most of the AI video platforms. The victims are left helpless while such content circulates, which has reportedly even led to suicides.The bottom line is straightforward: today’s content creators on social media are not different from broadcasters, and the same standards and regulations should apply to them too. But currently they operate without any standards, obligations or oversight, in the name of free speech.Even if the Indian government tries to regulate social-media content through legislation or other measures, how exactly can such rules be implemented across platforms, languages, millions of creators and billions of posts? That’s a story for another day. &nbsp;

The Indian Supreme Court has highlighted the urgent need for social media regulation, while criticising the unchecked freedom of content creators. The court is absolutely on point, as disinformation, hateful posts, and fake gurus are proliferating on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and others.

Hearing petitions of YouTuber Ranveer Allahabadia (or BeerBiceps) and others from the controversial India Got Latent show, the Supreme Court on Thursday (Nov 27) asked the Indian government what it was doing to regulate social-media content creators. Looking at the sheer volume of harmful, misleading or vulgar content churned out daily on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, it is hard to argue with the Court’s concerns. India today faces a Molotov cocktail of limitless freedom of speech, with near-zero accountability. The apex court noted that self-regulation has failed, hinting that creators cannot simply build their own channels and claim they answer nobody. The justices said that once the objectionable content is up, it goes viral so fast that no authority can control its impact later. This is a different world from phone calls or private conversations. Social media platforms amplify creators to millions, and cannot hide behind the alibi that they are only the conduits of communication. The consequences of harmful, misleading or plainly wrong posts are immediate and far-reaching. Here are 10 reasons why regulation is urgently needed, and why the Supreme Court is right about it. Paid podcasts without transparency: The new-age fraud of YouTube Across YouTube and other platforms, creators have been running high-profile podcasts sponsored by the invitees themselves, reportedly for millions of rupees, without full disclosure. In these completely choreographed charades, private individuals, companies and political groups, and even government agencies are parading falsehoods as gospel truth. Guests are asked soft-ball questions, and their products and services get promoted. Audiences have no clue about the money changing hands under the podcast tables. Stealth advertising is aired without proper classification, and political messaging is masquerading as 'neutral' conversation. Fake 'rich lifestyles' and the mental-health fallout Instagram and YouTube are awash with self-declared “millionaires” flaunting cars, luxury vacations and designer brands. Most of them turn out to be rented, borrowed or staged, sometimes with the connivance of the companies involved. But fear of missing out makes young viewers click on this content, and equate worth with wealth. This then leads to comparison anxiety, body-image issues and feelings of failure. The Supreme Court’s concern about unregulated monetisation of such content could be indirectly hitting at these creators who make money by pushing illusions that harm impressionable audiences. Content-creator rivalries escalating into real violence The last few years have seen rival influencers engaging in public feuds, doxxing, cyberbullying and, in some cases, physical fights and even gun violence. The Elvish Yadav controversies, the shootings linked to vlogger feuds, and street fights livestreamed for views show how online rivalries spill into the real world. Creators are weaponising audiences and escalating conflict for clicks. The menace of fake gurus and ‘spiritual healers’ YouTube, Instagram and Facebook host self-styled gurus offering miracle cures, aura cleansing, “manifestation coaching” or chant-based healing, none of which have any scientific basis. These content creators are exploiting the distress of viewers. They are encouraging vulnerable people to abandon real medical treatment for their physical and mental health issues, and instead peddling mystical cures. Without regulation, this commoditising of faith and normalising of superstitions for ad revenue will continue to flourish. 'Anti-national' posts with no factual basis There are a plethora of conspiracy theories, manipulated videos or fabricated “alerts” that portray institutions, communities and even public figures as enemies of the nation. Such videos and posts travel faster than fact-checkers can track or react. To address this, we should pay heed to the Indian top court's observation that online spaces cannot become zones where anything can be said without responsibility. Also read: Samay Raina's India's Got Latent makes a comeback on YouTube months after controversy involving Ranveer Allahbadia Whitewashing criminals and financial fraudsters Recently, several YouTubers invited controversial figures – from criminals to financial fraudsters – to podcasts for 'exclusive tell-all interviews'. Some of these went on for hours, presenting these individuals as misunderstood heroes. With no fact-checking or ethical guidelines in place, this type of content - which often goes viral - sanitises wrongdoing and trivialises victims’ experiences, years of fact-based investigative reportage, and court proceedings. Indian content space is now living in an era of rewarding this notoriety. Vulgarity and shock content disguised as comedy Many creators, including those behind India Got Latent, made it fashionable to use profanity, explicit jokes, sexualised thumbnails or offensive skits for views. Age restrictions are easily bypassed, with minors ending up as the audience. The Supreme Court’s remarks about obscene content reflect an urgent concern: when vulgarity becomes the easiest route to fame, platforms end up normalising harmful and unsocial behaviour. Also read: Are you a social media creator? Brace for control, as Indian top court asks government on regulation mechanisms Fake business gurus, finfluencers and fitness advisors: Loss of money and health Both in the main content and through advertising on YouTube and other social media platforms, recent years have seen a proliferation of financial and stock-market advisors without any qualifications. These 'finfluencers' promise guaranteed returns, promote high-risk schemes, or push dubious “wealth systems” and get-rich-quick plans. A similar menace exists in the health influencer market. Anybody can peddle anything these days as a cure for any illness. Raw diets, extreme fasting or herbal powders are offered as cures. Their content blurs the line between advice and manipulation. Many people lose money by following the stock-investing advice, and lose health due to the 'medical advice' videos, but often do not know where to complain. https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-s-got-latent-controversy-sc-slams-comics-over-disability-jokes-orders-public-apology-1756135758542 Dagger in the cloak: The spread of pseudoscience and superstition From vastu “fixes” to cow-urine remedies, from past-life regression shows to out-of-body travel claims and alien stories, Indian social media hosts hours of pseudoscience content framed as authentic knowledge. The creators and their hosts speak with such confidence, poise and cinematic flair that unscientific ideas appear credible to the unsuspecting viewer. The steady erosion of rational and scientific thinking is the result. Slowly, those who question these superstitions are being painted as opposing certain religions or rituals. AI-driven harms: Deepfakes, voice clones and nudify apps Recent years have seen most of the main social media players embracing AI-generated content. Creators can now openly fabricate political speeches, make family members beg for money using voice clones, or generate explicit images of women – including politicians, celebrities and actresses – without their consent or knowledge. This is a technology that the current laws of India are yet to catch up with. There are no rules about clearly identifying AI-generated content as such. Tracing and takedown are nearly impossible, also because of how many videos can be created from a single prompt on most of the AI video platforms. The victims are left helpless while such content circulates, which has reportedly even led to suicides. The bottom line is straightforward: today’s content creators on social media are not different from broadcasters, and the same standards and regulations should apply to them too. But currently they operate without any standards, obligations or oversight, in the name of free speech. Even if the Indian government tries to regulate social-media content through legislation or other measures, how exactly can such rules be implemented across platforms, languages, millions of creators and billions of posts? That’s a story for another day.

The Indian Supreme Court has highlighted the urgent need for social media regulation, while criticising the unchecked freedom of content creators. The court is absolutely on point, as disinformation, hateful posts, and fake gurus are proliferating on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and others.

10 reasons why Indian Supreme Court is right in seeking social media content regulation: The menace of freedom without accountability

Social media creators in India might soon face tighter government regulation after a recent Supreme Court ruling. The court raised concerns over the lack of accountability in user-generated content (UGC) on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, particularly after a controversial show, India's Got Latent, sparked legal challenges over its obscene and offensive content.&nbsp;The Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi expressed dissatisfaction with the current "self-regulation" model adopted by media companies and online platforms. While the Indian government is working on new guidelines, the court emphasised the need for an independent, neutral, and autonomous body to oversee and regulate online content.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/unveiling-vikran-1-india-s-first-commercial-private-rocket-launched-know-about-payload-and-orbital-adjustments-1764235551607">Unveiling Vikram-1: India's first commercial private rocket launched. know about payload and orbital adjustments</a>&nbsp;The court pointed out that the current system of self-regulation by platforms and content creators was ineffective. "If self-regulation works, why do violations continue?" asked CJI Kant. He stressed that while freedom of speech is fundamental, it shouldn't come at the cost of harmful or "perverse" content being spread unchecked. The court also raised concerns over the lack of age verification measures and the failure of warnings or disclaimers to prevent exposure to inappropriate content.&nbsp;The case arose from multiple FIRs filed against popular YouTubers Ranveer Allahabadia and Ashish Chanchlani for content deemed offensive in the India's Got Latent show. The Supreme Court has been scrutinising this issue as part of a broader debate on online obscenity and the need for stronger regulatory measures. As the government works to finalise new guidelines, the Supreme Court suggested that an expert committee should study the issue further, inviting public suggestions before implementing changes.&nbsp;This move, if enforced, could significantly impact content creators, requiring them to be more mindful of the content they post online. For now, social media creators are on alert as they wait to see how the regulations evolve.

Are you a social media creator? Brace for control, as Indian top court asks govt on regulation mechanisms

Social media creators in India might soon face tighter government regulation after a recent Supreme Court ruling. The court raised concerns over the lack of accountability in user-generated content (UGC) on platforms like YouTube and Instagram, particularly after a controversial show, India's Got Latent, sparked legal challenges over its obscene and offensive content. The Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi expressed dissatisfaction with the current "self-regulation" model adopted by media companies and online platforms. While the Indian government is working on new guidelines, the court emphasised the need for an independent, neutral, and autonomous body to oversee and regulate online content. Also Read: Unveiling Vikram-1: India's first commercial private rocket launched. know about payload and orbital adjustments The court pointed out that the current system of self-regulation by platforms and content creators was ineffective. "If self-regulation works, why do violations continue?" asked CJI Kant. He stressed that while freedom of speech is fundamental, it shouldn't come at the cost of harmful or "perverse" content being spread unchecked. The court also raised concerns over the lack of age verification measures and the failure of warnings or disclaimers to prevent exposure to inappropriate content. The case arose from multiple FIRs filed against popular YouTubers Ranveer Allahabadia and Ashish Chanchlani for content deemed offensive in the India's Got Latent show. The Supreme Court has been scrutinising this issue as part of a broader debate on online obscenity and the need for stronger regulatory measures. As the government works to finalise new guidelines, the Supreme Court suggested that an expert committee should study the issue further, inviting public suggestions before implementing changes. This move, if enforced, could significantly impact content creators, requiring them to be more mindful of the content they post online. For now, social media creators are on alert as they wait to see how the regulations evolve.

The Supreme Court calls for a neutral, independent body to regulate social media content. Creators may face tighter government oversight to curb obscene or harmful content

Are you a social media creator? Brace for control, as Indian top court asks government on regulation mechanisms

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday virtually inaugurated Skyroot Aerospace's Infinity Campus in Hyderabad, unveiling Vikram-I, India's first orbital rocket developed by a private agency. PM Modi stated that India is on its way to emerge as a global leader in satellite launch systems, calling the achievement a symbol of the credibility and innovation of the country.&nbsp;"India has created its insignia in credibility, capacity, and value in the space sector," Prime Minister Modi said while virtually inaugurating the rocket and appreciated the founders of Skyroot, Pawan Chandana and Bharath Daka, calling them a "big inspiration for the youth of the country."&nbsp;While addressing, Prime Minister Modi underscored the growth of the private space sector, pioneered by companies like Skyroot, which is a direct testament to the reforms of the government aiming at fostering innovation and allowing private enterprise to enter the space domain.<h3>What is the Vikram-I rocket?</h3>Vikram-I, designed and developed by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, which is India's new private orbital-class launch vehicle, has been named after space pioneer Vikram Sarabhai. The four-stage rocket, Vikram-I, targets the small satellite market, covering rapid and cost-effective launches.&nbsp;It is 20 meters tall with a diameter of 1.7 meters, which generates 1,200 kN of thrust using an all-carbon composite structure for lightweight strength, including efficiency. The design of the rocket covers simplicity, reliability, and quick reverse, enabling it to launch within 24 hours from any site. In addition, the solid-fueled first three stages of the rocket provide a robust initial boost, topped by a hypergolic liquid upper stage for precise orbital adjustments.&nbsp;Key advances include 3D-printed engines that cut weight by half and shorten production time by 80 per cent, along with ultra-low-shock pneumatic separation systems and upgraded avionics that enable real-time navigation.&nbsp;Skyroot’s Vikram-I launcher is capable of placing up to 350 kg into low Earth orbit (LEO) or 260 kg into a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), with its payload capacity varying by mission profile. For instance, it can carry 290 kg to a 500 km SSO, or 480 kg to a 500 km LEO at a 45-degree inclination.&nbsp;A series of successful trials, including Kalam-1200 proof-pressure testing and payload-fairing separation, has confirmed the rocket’s readiness. Vikram-I strengthens India’s private space sector and complements ISRO’s capabilities as global competition intensifies.&nbsp;Skyroot is aiming for an early-2026 debut flight, aiming to tap into the fast-expanding small-satellite market, within an Indian space economy expected to grow $77 billion by 2030.

Vikram-I, designed and developed by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, which is India's new private orbital-class launch vehicle, has been named after space pioneer Vikram Sarabhai. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday virtually inaugurated Skyroot Aerospace's Infinity Campus in Hyderabad, unveiling Vikram-I, India's first orbital rocket developed by a private agency. PM Modi stated that India is on its way to emerge as a global leader in satellite launch systems, calling the achievement a symbol of the credibility and innovation of the country. "India has created its insignia in credibility, capacity, and value in the space sector," Prime Minister Modi said while virtually inaugurating the rocket and appreciated the founders of Skyroot, Pawan Chandana and Bharath Daka, calling them a "big inspiration for the youth of the country." While addressing, Prime Minister Modi underscored the growth of the private space sector, pioneered by companies like Skyroot, which is a direct testament to the reforms of the government aiming at fostering innovation and allowing private enterprise to enter the space domain. What is the Vikram-I rocket? Vikram-I, designed and developed by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, which is India's new private orbital-class launch vehicle, has been named after space pioneer Vikram Sarabhai. The four-stage rocket, Vikram-I, targets the small satellite market, covering rapid and cost-effective launches. It is 20 meters tall with a diameter of 1.7 meters, which generates 1,200 kN of thrust using an all-carbon composite structure for lightweight strength, including efficiency. The design of the rocket covers simplicity, reliability, and quick reverse, enabling it to launch within 24 hours from any site. In addition, the solid-fueled first three stages of the rocket provide a robust initial boost, topped by a hypergolic liquid upper stage for precise orbital adjustments. Key advances include 3D-printed engines that cut weight by half and shorten production time by 80 per cent, along with ultra-low-shock pneumatic separation systems and upgraded avionics that enable real-time navigation. Skyroot’s Vikram-I launcher is capable of placing up to 350 kg into low Earth orbit (LEO) or 260 kg into a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), with its payload capacity varying by mission profile. For instance, it can carry 290 kg to a 500 km SSO, or 480 kg to a 500 km LEO at a 45-degree inclination. A series of successful trials, including Kalam-1200 proof-pressure testing and payload-fairing separation, has confirmed the rocket’s readiness. Vikram-I strengthens India’s private space sector and complements ISRO’s capabilities as global competition intensifies. Skyroot is aiming for an early-2026 debut flight, aiming to tap into the fast-expanding small-satellite market, within an Indian space economy expected to grow $77 billion by 2030.

Vikram-I, designed and developed by Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace, which is India's new private orbital-class launch vehicle, has been named after space pioneer Vikram Sarabhai.&nbsp;

Unveiling Vikram-1: India's first commercial private rocket launched. know about payload and orbital adjustments

Paavan Nanda, co-founder of WinZO, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday (November 26) in connection with money laundering allegations. He and his co-founder, Saumya Singh Rathore, were taken into custody after the ED accused them of holding ₹43 crore belonging to gamers, which should have been refunded following India's real-money gaming ban. The two entrepreneurs were presented in a Bengaluru court later and were placed in one-day custody, with further hearings expected soon.<h2>Who is Paavan Nanda?</h2>Paavan Nanda, 38, is a well-known entrepreneur and the driving force behind WinZO, a major social and real-money gaming platform in India. Before founding WinZO in 2018, Nanda was involved in Zostel, a popular chain of backpacker hostels, and ZO Rooms, a budget-hotel aggregator. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology (NSIT), New Delhi, and an MBA from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta.&nbsp;Alongside Rathore, Nanda has built WinZO into a leading name in India’s online gaming industry. Together, they have amassed a combined net worth of ₹962 crore. WinZO's financial performance for the fiscal year 2023-2024 has been strong, with revenue rising 70% to ₹1,055 crore and a 151% increase in profit to ₹315 crore, despite the impact of a 400% hike in GST on online gaming that took effect in October 2023. However, the company is now facing allegations.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/winter-is-coming-delhi-shivers-at-8-c-as-cold-wave-sweeps-through-the-capital-1764218765126">Winter is coming: Delhi shivers at 8°C as cold wave sweeps through the capital</a>&nbsp;The ED claims that WinZO continued to operate real-money gaming platforms in countries like Brazil, the US, and Germany, using the same platform as in India. It also accuses the company of misleading users by using algorithms to simulate human players without informing them. In addition to freezing assets worth ₹505 crore, including bonds, fixed deposits, and mutual funds, the ED alleges that WinZO failed to refund the ₹43 crore owed to gamers after the real-money gaming ban came into force.&nbsp;In response, WinZO issued a statement defending its operations, emphasising that fairness and transparency are integral to its platform. The company maintains that it is fully compliant with all applicable laws and remains committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its users.

Who is Paavan Nanda? Online gaming platform co-founder arrested by ED on money laundering charges

Paavan Nanda, co-founder of WinZO, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday (November 26) in connection with money laundering allegations. He and his co-founder, Saumya Singh Rathore, were taken into custody after the ED accused them of holding ₹43 crore belonging to gamers, which should have been refunded following India's real-money gaming ban. The two entrepreneurs were presented in a Bengaluru court later and were placed in one-day custody, with further hearings expected soon. Who is Paavan Nanda? Paavan Nanda, 38, is a well-known entrepreneur and the driving force behind WinZO, a major social and real-money gaming platform in India. Before founding WinZO in 2018, Nanda was involved in Zostel, a popular chain of backpacker hostels, and ZO Rooms, a budget-hotel aggregator. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology (NSIT), New Delhi, and an MBA from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta. Alongside Rathore, Nanda has built WinZO into a leading name in India’s online gaming industry. Together, they have amassed a combined net worth of ₹962 crore. WinZO's financial performance for the fiscal year 2023-2024 has been strong, with revenue rising 70% to ₹1,055 crore and a 151% increase in profit to ₹315 crore, despite the impact of a 400% hike in GST on online gaming that took effect in October 2023. However, the company is now facing allegations. Also Read: Winter is coming: Delhi shivers at 8°C as cold wave sweeps through the capital The ED claims that WinZO continued to operate real-money gaming platforms in countries like Brazil, the US, and Germany, using the same platform as in India. It also accuses the company of misleading users by using algorithms to simulate human players without informing them. In addition to freezing assets worth ₹505 crore, including bonds, fixed deposits, and mutual funds, the ED alleges that WinZO failed to refund the ₹43 crore owed to gamers after the real-money gaming ban came into force. In response, WinZO issued a statement defending its operations, emphasising that fairness and transparency are integral to its platform. The company maintains that it is fully compliant with all applicable laws and remains committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its users.

The ED has arrested WinZO co-founders Paavan Nanda and Saumya Singh Rathore for money laundering, accusing them of holding ₹43 crore owed to gamers after the gaming ban

Australia’s groundbreaking law prohibiting children under the age of 16 from using social media is now facing a challenge in the country's top court. The case has been brought by two teenagers, Noah Jones and Macy Neyland, who argue that the law is unconstitutional, claiming it infringes on their right to free communication. Set to take effect on December 10, the law mandates that social media platforms like Meta, TikTok, and YouTube prevent anyone under 16 from creating accounts. Supporters of the ban, including the government, argue that it is a necessary step to shield children from harmful content and predatory algorithms online.&nbsp;However, Jones and Neyland, both 15, with support from the Digital Freedom Project (DFP), contend that the law violates the rights of young people, particularly by stifling their ability to engage in online communication. Neyland expressed her concern, comparing the policy to George Orwell's 1984, highlighting fears about government overreach and censorship. The government, however, remains steadfast in its position. Communications minister Anika Wells asserted that legal challenges would not deter them from enforcing the ban, framing it as a matter of protecting children from online dangers.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/another-custody-battle-is-rocking-the-uae-royal-family-with-allegations-of-kidnapping-and-desperate-pleas-from-ex-wife-1764143852928">Another custody battle is rocking the UAE royal family, with allegations of kidnapping and desperate pleas from ex-wife</a>&nbsp;"We shouldn't be silenced. It's like Orwell's book 1984, and that scares me," Macy Neyland said in a statement. "We will not be intimidated by threats. We will not be intimidated by legal challenges. We will not be intimidated by big tech. On behalf of Australian parents, we will stand firm," she added. &nbsp;The DFP’s challenge, filed in the high court, argues that the policy unjustly limits teenagers' ability to engage in political and social discourse. They also believe alternative approaches, like improving digital literacy, enforcing age-appropriate platform features, and implementing privacy-centric age-assurance technologies, would better address online safety concerns. Jones criticised the government's approach as overly simplistic, insisting that rather than silencing young people, safeguards should be put in place to protect them while allowing continued access to digital spaces.&nbsp;Though most Australians support the ban, some experts caution that it could isolate vulnerable young people, particularly those in marginalised communities such as those with disabilities, from vital online networks. Others worry the ban might push youth to even more unregulated corners of the internet. Google, which owns YouTube, is also reportedly considering challenging the policy on constitutional grounds.

'We will not be intimidated by threats': Australia's social media ban sparks constitutional fight from teenagers

Australia’s groundbreaking law prohibiting children under the age of 16 from using social media is now facing a challenge in the country's top court. The case has been brought by two teenagers, Noah Jones and Macy Neyland, who argue that the law is unconstitutional, claiming it infringes on their right to free communication. Set to take effect on December 10, the law mandates that social media platforms like Meta, TikTok, and YouTube prevent anyone under 16 from creating accounts. Supporters of the ban, including the government, argue that it is a necessary step to shield children from harmful content and predatory algorithms online. However, Jones and Neyland, both 15, with support from the Digital Freedom Project (DFP), contend that the law violates the rights of young people, particularly by stifling their ability to engage in online communication. Neyland expressed her concern, comparing the policy to George Orwell's 1984, highlighting fears about government overreach and censorship. The government, however, remains steadfast in its position. Communications minister Anika Wells asserted that legal challenges would not deter them from enforcing the ban, framing it as a matter of protecting children from online dangers. Also Read: Another custody battle is rocking the UAE royal family, with allegations of kidnapping and desperate pleas from ex-wife "We shouldn't be silenced. It's like Orwell's book 1984, and that scares me," Macy Neyland said in a statement. "We will not be intimidated by threats. We will not be intimidated by legal challenges. We will not be intimidated by big tech. On behalf of Australian parents, we will stand firm," she added. The DFP’s challenge, filed in the high court, argues that the policy unjustly limits teenagers' ability to engage in political and social discourse. They also believe alternative approaches, like improving digital literacy, enforcing age-appropriate platform features, and implementing privacy-centric age-assurance technologies, would better address online safety concerns. Jones criticised the government's approach as overly simplistic, insisting that rather than silencing young people, safeguards should be put in place to protect them while allowing continued access to digital spaces. Though most Australians support the ban, some experts caution that it could isolate vulnerable young people, particularly those in marginalised communities such as those with disabilities, from vital online networks. Others worry the ban might push youth to even more unregulated corners of the internet. Google, which owns YouTube, is also reportedly considering challenging the policy on constitutional grounds.

Two teenagers are challenging Australia's new law banning under-16s from social media, arguing it violates their rights to free communication and connection

Soon after winter arrived in India, multiple cities across the country began experiencing poor air quality. Among the most affected regions remains the national capital, Delhi, which marks the worst-affected region of India. As per the aqi. in data, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi stood at 435 on Tuesday, around 9 AM.&nbsp;Meanwhile, over rising concerns related to air pollution, several people resort to real-time air quality data before heading outside their homes. To support this, Google Maps has come up with a feature depicting real-time AQI of the areas across India, so that people can plan their everyday activities with greater caution.&nbsp;The AQI can be checked on both its mobile app and desktop site, displaying pollution levels through an easy-to-read colour scale. The index runs from green, indicating good air quality, to dark red, marking dangerous conditions. This data helps users judge whether it’s safe to work out outdoors, modify travel plans or take protective steps like wearing a mask.&nbsp;Google Maps displays air quality using an hourly updated Air Quality Index (AQI) scale ranging from 0 to 500, where lower numbers indicate cleaner air and higher values signal worsening pollution, categorised as Good (0–50, green), Satisfactory (51–100, yellow), Moderate (101–200, orange), Poor (201–300, red), Very Poor (301–400, purple) and Severe (401–500, maroon).<h3>Step-by-step: How to check AQI on Google Maps</h3>Update the app<ul><li>Open the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).</li><li>Search for Google Maps and install any available updates.</li></ul>Open Google Maps<ul><li>Launch the Google Maps app on your phone or tablet.</li></ul>Tip: If you use Maps on desktop, open maps.google.com in your browser — the steps are similar.&nbsp;Search for a location<ul><li>Tap the search bar at the top and type a city, neighbourhood, landmark or an exact address.</li><li>Alternatively, pinch-to-zoom or double-tap to zoom in on the map to see air quality near your current position.</li></ul>Open the layers menu<ul><li>Look for the layers icon next to the search box; it looks like a small stack of squares (often bottom-right on desktop and top-right or top-left on mobile).</li><li>Tap that icon to open layer options (traffic, public transport, satellite, etc.).</li></ul>Select “Air Quality”<ul><li>In the layers list, choose Air Quality.</li><li>The map will immediately overlay a colour-coded AQI layer showing pollution levels where you’re looking.</li></ul>Read the colour-coded scale<ul><li>The map uses a colour scale (green → yellow → orange → red → dark red) to show air quality from good to hazardous.</li><li>Tap a coloured area or the AQI icon on the map for a numeric AQI value and any additional details (e.g. pollutant levels).</li></ul>&nbsp;

Google Maps shows hourly AQI updates on a 0–500 scale: Good (0–50, green), Satisfactory (51–100, yellow), Moderate (101–200, orange), Poor (201–300, red), Very Poor (301–400, purple) and Severe (401–500, maroon), with higher values indicating worse pollution.

Soon after winter arrived in India, multiple cities across the country began experiencing poor air quality. Among the most affected regions remains the national capital, Delhi, which marks the worst-affected region of India. As per the aqi. in data, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi stood at 435 on Tuesday, around 9 AM. Meanwhile, over rising concerns related to air pollution, several people resort to real-time air quality data before heading outside their homes. To support this, Google Maps has come up with a feature depicting real-time AQI of the areas across India, so that people can plan their everyday activities with greater caution. The AQI can be checked on both its mobile app and desktop site, displaying pollution levels through an easy-to-read colour scale. The index runs from green, indicating good air quality, to dark red, marking dangerous conditions. This data helps users judge whether it’s safe to work out outdoors, modify travel plans or take protective steps like wearing a mask. Google Maps displays air quality using an hourly updated Air Quality Index (AQI) scale ranging from 0 to 500, where lower numbers indicate cleaner air and higher values signal worsening pollution, categorised as Good (0–50, green), Satisfactory (51–100, yellow), Moderate (101–200, orange), Poor (201–300, red), Very Poor (301–400, purple) and Severe (401–500, maroon). Step-by-step: How to check AQI on Google Maps Update the app Open the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). Search for Google Maps and install any available updates. Open Google Maps Launch the Google Maps app on your phone or tablet. Tip: If you use Maps on desktop, open maps.google.com in your browser — the steps are similar. Search for a location Tap the search bar at the top and type a city, neighbourhood, landmark or an exact address. Alternatively, pinch-to-zoom or double-tap to zoom in on the map to see air quality near your current position. Open the layers menu Look for the layers icon next to the search box; it looks like a small stack of squares (often bottom-right on desktop and top-right or top-left on mobile). Tap that icon to open layer options (traffic, public transport, satellite, etc.). Select “Air Quality” In the layers list, choose Air Quality. The map will immediately overlay a colour-coded AQI layer showing pollution levels where you’re looking. Read the colour-coded scale The map uses a colour scale (green → yellow → orange → red → dark red) to show air quality from good to hazardous. Tap a coloured area or the AQI icon on the map for a numeric AQI value and any additional details (e.g. pollutant levels).

Google Maps shows hourly AQI updates on a 0–500 scale: Good (0–50, green), Satisfactory (51–100, yellow), Moderate (101–200, orange), Poor (201–300, red), Very Poor (301–400, purple) and Severe (401–500, maroon), with higher values indicating worse pollution.

Planning to go out? Here's how you can check live air quality easily on Google Maps

Google has surprised the tech world by announcing that its new Pixel 10 smartphones can now share photos and files with iPhones using Apple’s AirDrop. Google revealed this week, marks one of the rare moments when an Android device can interact directly with one of Apple’s most tightly controlled features.&nbsp;As per the to Google’s official announcement on the Android blog, the update allows the company’s Quick Share tool to work with AirDrop, enabling simple file transfers between iPhones and Android devices for the first time. The feature is rolling out to the Google Pixel 10 family and will expand to more Android phones over time.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Sharing moments shouldn’t depend on the phone you have. Starting today with the Pixel 10 family, Quick Share now works with AirDrop, making secure file transfers between Android phones and iPhones more seamless. This builds on our commitment to cross-OS compatibility to bridge… <a href="https://t.co/iNdZfjCYQ7">pic.twitter.com/iNdZfjCYQ7</a>&mdash; Android (@Android) <a href="https://twitter.com/Android/status/1991552333063524573?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>What AirDrop is and why this move matters</h2>AirDrop has long been one of Apple’s strongest ecosystem features. The protocol uses Bluetooth and peer-to-peer Wi-Fi to let users send photos, videos, text, and files instantly between devices. These transfers are encrypted and do not require internet access or a Wi-Fi router and it’s very fast.&nbsp;Because it is a proprietary system, Apple has never opened the protocol to other device makers. This is one reason Apple users often stay within what analysts call the company’s “walled garden”. Until now, Android users could not use AirDrop, and Apple devices could not receive files sent through Android’s Quick Share.&nbsp;Google has now developed a way to bridge this gap, even though Apple did not collaborate on the feature. This makes the new compatibility one of the most significant cross-platform improvements seen in consumer tech in recent years.&nbsp;<h2>How Google made Quick Share work with AirDrop</h2>In its blog published, Google said it has redesigned Quick Share so it can communicate using the AirDrop protocol, while keeping privacy and security as the top priority.&nbsp;According to the company, the system was tested by independent security experts, and file transfers continue to use encryption. The aim, Google says, is to make sharing easier “regardless of the device you have”.&nbsp;The company also linked the change to its broader efforts to improve communication between Android and iOS. This includes support for RCS messaging, unknown tracker alerts, and other cross-platform features requested by users.&nbsp;<h2>What it means for Android and iPhone users</h2>The update means users can now send files between Android and iPhone much like they already do inside the Apple ecosystem. This includes sharing photos with friends, sending documents quickly at work, or exchanging videos without needing messaging apps or cloud services.&nbsp;Google says the feature is live on Pixel 10 and will be expanded “soon” to more Android devices. The company also posted a demonstration showing the feature working on the Pixel 10 Pro.&nbsp;

Google has announced that Pixel 10 the first Android phones able to share files directly with iPhones using Apple’s AirDrop protocol. The new Quick Share upgrade finally bridges the long-closed gap between Android and iOS, but there’s more behind this rare cross-platform move.

Google has surprised the tech world by announcing that its new Pixel 10 smartphones can now share photos and files with iPhones using Apple’s AirDrop. Google revealed this week, marks one of the rare moments when an Android device can interact directly with one of Apple’s most tightly controlled features. As per the to Google’s official announcement on the Android blog, the update allows the company’s Quick Share tool to work with AirDrop, enabling simple file transfers between iPhones and Android devices for the first time. The feature is rolling out to the Google Pixel 10 family and will expand to more Android phones over time.

Google has announced that Pixel 10 the first Android phones able to share files directly with iPhones using Apple’s AirDrop protocol. The new Quick Share upgrade finally bridges the long-closed gap between Android and iOS, but there’s more behind this rare cross-platform move.

Google cracks AirDrop barrier: Pixel 10 now shares files with Apple iPhones

Laptops are back, with better AI chips that enable online work without having to download software for once heavy-duty tasks like video and music production. The global laptop market is slowly recovering after turbulence. The new generation of AI processors is reviving consumer interest. But there are hurdles: Prices are up as production costs is rising due to supply chain constraints, component shortage, and geopolitical tensions.&nbsp;<h2>Laptop shipments fell sharply in 2022-2023 after pandemic boom</h2>After many years of struggle that saw big players like IBM, Sony and Toshiba exiting the PC market in the 2010s, there was a boom during the Covid pandemic, accelerated by work from home. As the lockdowns ended, personal laptops saw one of the steepest corrections in the industry’s recent history. In 2024, the market stabilised with a modest annual growth of about 1.3 per cent. According to a Canalys estimate, total PC shipments (out of which up to 85 per cent are laptops), rose to roughly 255 million units in 2024, up nearly 4 per cent. This broke an eight-quarter streak of declines. Lenovo, HP and Dell together accounted for more than 60 per cent of these shipments. This was helped by continuing patterns of hybrid work, and as fleets of devices purchased in the pandemic's early years crossed their refresh cycle.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-saudi-talks-trump-says-us-is-negotiating-advanced-chip-exports-to-saudi-1763534319813/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-saudi-talks-trump-says-us-is-negotiating-advanced-chip-exports-to-saudi-1763534319813/embed</a><h2>The rise of so-called 'AI PCs'</h2>The biggest hype in recent years has been around AI processors from Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, and Apple that incorporate dedicated neural processing units (NPUs) on laptops. Intel’s Core Ultra chips, AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 series, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite, and Apple’s M4 processors all include NPUs. New models like the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i, HP Spectre x360 AI, Asus Vivobook S 15 (Snapdragon X Elite), and Apple MacBook Air M4 highlight this shift to AI computing. They enable hardware acceleration for on-device AI tasks, like real-time video enhancement, noise filtering, and other productivity tasks, reducing reliance on cloud computing. A Gartner forecast showed that AI-capable PCs will account for roughly 31 per cent of global PC shipments in 2025, and more than half by 2026, with laptops leading the adoption.Available data from 2025 shows AI-equipped laptops are in high demand compared to traditional models. Business buyers bought in bulk as they prepare for Windows 10’s end of support in October 2025 on many earlier PC models. Many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have been advertising AI features as “future-proof” for productivity, security, and device-local workloads. Enterprise orders reportedly increased by more than 10 per cent year on year.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vikram-chip-at-semicon-india-2025-india-fired-first-shot-in-global-chip-wars-here-is-why-it-s-not-just-another-science-story-1756812544584">Vikram chip at Semicon India 2025: India fired its first shot in global 'chip wars'. Here is why it's not just another science story</a><h2>Laptop resurgence also comes with higher prices: Chip wars and battery shortages</h2>A parallel trend is the higher cost of laptops. The average selling prices (ASPs) are up, driven by factors of geopolitics and the global contest for semiconductors and rare earths. As a result, ASPs rose from about 720 US dollars in 2021 to about 820 US dollars in 2024. AI-capable components like NPUs, advanced memory, and power-efficient displays led to higher cost of production than previous models. The export restrictions from countries like China and the US, part of the chip war, led to supply chain issues. Logistics bottlenecks continue to add to the cost of buying laptops. Besides the chips, the contest for critical minerals behind the high-performance lithium batteries is also weighing on the prices. Demand for lithium and cobalt is particularly tight.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-could-change-ai-google-gemini-is-performing-strong-even-without-nvidia-gpus-1763599705063">‘Could change AI’: Google Gemini is performing strong even without Nvidia GPUs</a><h2>How geopolitics is affecting price of laptops</h2>Laptops are among items where geopolitical uncertainty is strongly felt in pricing. The US tariff war with China and other countries prompted some laptop makers to pull shipments forward and diversify production locations, raising costs. Apple, HP and Dell shifted some production to Vietnam and India. Currency fluctuations and rising labour costs in Asian manufacturing hubs are adding to the retail prices of laptops.As a result of these factors, premium and mid-range laptop prices rose in 2024. Data from 2025 suggests the trend will continue, as AI models are dominating sales. This is strangely leading to an interesting situation. While laptops are now rebounding, many lower-income customers are either postponing upgrades or refurbishing older laptops. The used-laptop market grew by more than 9 per cent in 2024.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/these-chips-make-apple-iphone-air-the-most-power-efficient-mobile-ever-1757443441511">These chips make Apple iPhone Air the most power-efficient mobile ever</a><h2>What does the future look for laptops?</h2>For the foreseeable future, the demand for laptops is going to be steady if not astronomical, but it's not always going to be pocket-friendly for the middle or lower-income consumers. Industry remains cautiously optimistic, offering AI-driven features. The Windows 11-only PC era is here, since Microsoft stopped supporting Windows 10. This means enterprises will have to buy new models. Shipment volumes are stabilising in spite of the geopolitical headwinds. Laptops have suddenly become more relevant in an era increasingly defined by intelligent computing.

Global laptop sales are seeing a slow rebound, helped by the advent of AI chips. But politics can hold back this revival, as prices rise due to supply chain strains largely brought about by chip wars, tariff tensions and rare earths competition. Here's a situation report

Laptops are back, with better AI chips that enable online work without having to download software for once heavy-duty tasks like video and music production. The global laptop market is slowly recovering after turbulence. The new generation of AI processors is reviving consumer interest. But there are hurdles: Prices are up as production costs is rising due to supply chain constraints, component shortage, and geopolitical tensions. Laptop shipments fell sharply in 2022-2023 after pandemic boom After many years of struggle that saw big players like IBM, Sony and Toshiba exiting the PC market in the 2010s, there was a boom during the Covid pandemic, accelerated by work from home. As the lockdowns ended, personal laptops saw one of the steepest corrections in the industry’s recent history. In 2024, the market stabilised with a modest annual growth of about 1.3 per cent. According to a Canalys estimate, total PC shipments (out of which up to 85 per cent are laptops), rose to roughly 255 million units in 2024, up nearly 4 per cent. This broke an eight-quarter streak of declines. Lenovo, HP and Dell together accounted for more than 60 per cent of these shipments. This was helped by continuing patterns of hybrid work, and as fleets of devices purchased in the pandemic's early years crossed their refresh cycle. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-saudi-talks-trump-says-us-is-negotiating-advanced-chip-exports-to-saudi-1763534319813/embed The rise of so-called 'AI PCs' The biggest hype in recent years has been around AI processors from Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, and Apple that incorporate dedicated neural processing units (NPUs) on laptops. Intel’s Core Ultra chips, AMD’s Ryzen AI 300 series, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite, and Apple’s M4 processors all include NPUs. New models like the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i, HP Spectre x360 AI, Asus Vivobook S 15 (Snapdragon X Elite), and Apple MacBook Air M4 highlight this shift to AI computing. They enable hardware acceleration for on-device AI tasks, like real-time video enhancement, noise filtering, and other productivity tasks, reducing reliance on cloud computing. A Gartner forecast showed that AI-capable PCs will account for roughly 31 per cent of global PC shipments in 2025, and more than half by 2026, with laptops leading the adoption. Available data from 2025 shows AI-equipped laptops are in high demand compared to traditional models. Business buyers bought in bulk as they prepare for Windows 10’s end of support in October 2025 on many earlier PC models. Many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have been advertising AI features as “future-proof” for productivity, security, and device-local workloads. Enterprise orders reportedly increased by more than 10 per cent year on year. Also read: Vikram chip at Semicon India 2025: India fired its first shot in global 'chip wars'. Here is why it's not just another science story Laptop resurgence also comes with higher prices: Chip wars and battery shortages A parallel trend is the higher cost of laptops. The average selling prices (ASPs) are up, driven by factors of geopolitics and the global contest for semiconductors and rare earths. As a result, ASPs rose from about 720 US dollars in 2021 to about 820 US dollars in 2024. AI-capable components like NPUs, advanced memory, and power-efficient displays led to higher cost of production than previous models. The export restrictions from countries like China and the US, part of the chip war, led to supply chain issues. Logistics bottlenecks continue to add to the cost of buying laptops. Besides the chips, the contest for critical minerals behind the high-performance lithium batteries is also weighing on the prices. Demand for lithium and cobalt is particularly tight. Also read: ‘Could change AI’: Google Gemini is performing strong even without Nvidia GPUs How geopolitics is affecting price of laptops Laptops are among items where geopolitical uncertainty is strongly felt in pricing. The US tariff war with China and other countries prompted some laptop makers to pull shipments forward and diversify production locations, raising costs. Apple, HP and Dell shifted some production to Vietnam and India. Currency fluctuations and rising labour costs in Asian manufacturing hubs are adding to the retail prices of laptops. As a result of these factors, premium and mid-range laptop prices rose in 2024. Data from 2025 suggests the trend will continue, as AI models are dominating sales. This is strangely leading to an interesting situation. While laptops are now rebounding, many lower-income customers are either postponing upgrades or refurbishing older laptops. The used-laptop market grew by more than 9 per cent in 2024. Also read: These chips make Apple iPhone Air the most power-efficient mobile ever What does the future look for laptops? For the foreseeable future, the demand for laptops is going to be steady if not astronomical, but it's not always going to be pocket-friendly for the middle or lower-income consumers. Industry remains cautiously optimistic, offering AI-driven features. The Windows 11-only PC era is here, since Microsoft stopped supporting Windows 10. This means enterprises will have to buy new models. Shipment volumes are stabilising in spite of the geopolitical headwinds. Laptops have suddenly become more relevant in an era increasingly defined by intelligent computing.

Global laptop sales are seeing a slow rebound, helped by the advent of AI chips. But politics can hold back this revival, as prices rise due to supply chain strains largely brought about by chip wars, tariff tensions and rare earths competition. Here's a situation report

Rebound of the laptop: AI chips fuel sales recovery but geopolitics, shortages and high costs can hurt this boom

Google has strongly pushed back against viral claims that Gmail is using personal emails and attachments to train its Gemini AI. According to a Google spokesperson, Jenny Thomson, who told The Verge that these reports are misleading," said, "We do not use your Gmail content for training our Gemini AI model.” He added that Gmail smart features have existed for years, like spellcheck, predictive text, package tracking, and calendar integration have existed for years and using them does not mean Google has access to your personal emails.<h2>Google smart feature vs AI training&nbsp;</h2>The confusion has arisen since a report by the platform Malwarebytes, which published a finding claiming that Google was analysing private emails and attachments to improve AI tools like Smart Compose and Smart Reply. In January, Google introduced a toggle option for Workspace smart features and another for products like Maps and Wallets. Since there are two separate toggles for smart features users, they may mistakenly opt in one and not realise. The possibility that there is a risk that settings may be misunderstood or re-enabled is a huge red flag. Google claims smart features do analyse content locally or in a limited way to “personalise your experience across Workspace”, but this is not similar to feeding your correspondence to Gemini. This explanation, however, did not address all issues. On November 11, a class action lawsuit was filed against Google, alleging that it is tracking consumers' communications without consent after it secretly turned on’ Gemini AI for all users.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Viral reports claim Gmail reads emails and attachments to train Google’s AI. Google denies the allegations. Here’s what the company and researchers say.

Google has strongly pushed back against viral claims that Gmail is using personal emails and attachments to train its Gemini AI. According to a Google spokesperson, Jenny Thomson, who told The Verge that these reports are misleading," said, "We do not use your Gmail content for training our Gemini AI model.” He added that Gmail smart features have existed for years, like spellcheck, predictive text, package tracking, and calendar integration have existed for years and using them does not mean Google has access to your personal emails. Google smart feature vs AI training The confusion has arisen since a report by the platform Malwarebytes, which published a finding claiming that Google was analysing private emails and attachments to improve AI tools like Smart Compose and Smart Reply. In January, Google introduced a toggle option for Workspace smart features and another for products like Maps and Wallets. Since there are two separate toggles for smart features users, they may mistakenly opt in one and not realise. The possibility that there is a risk that settings may be misunderstood or re-enabled is a huge red flag. Google claims smart features do analyse content locally or in a limited way to “personalise your experience across Workspace”, but this is not similar to feeding your correspondence to Gemini. This explanation, however, did not address all issues. On November 11, a class action lawsuit was filed against Google, alleging that it is tracking consumers' communications without consent after it secretly turned on’ Gemini AI for all users.

Viral reports claim Gmail reads emails and attachments to train Google’s AI. Google denies the allegations. Here’s what the company and researchers say.

Google denies viral claim that Gmail uses your emails to train its Gemini AI model

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has acknowledged that Google’s latest advances in artificial intelligence could create ‘temporary economic headwinds’ for the company. The comments were made in an internal memo sent to employees.The memo was written shortly before Google launched Gemini 3 on 18 November, which the company described as its “most intelligent model yet”. Early feedback from developers shows Gemini 3 performing strongly in website design, coding, and other tasks that bring in major revenue for OpenAI.&nbsp;<h2>Competition rises as ChatGPT engagement cools</h2>OpenAI is facing pressure on more than one front. According to the company’s chief financial officer Sarah Friar, ChatGPT has seen a dip in user engagement in recent months. She said during a quarterly earnings call that the slowdown began after OpenAI introduced new content restrictions in August to limit unsafe responses.Despite the softer engagement, the company is on track to meet its 2025 revenue target of $13 billion, as per the same report. However, OpenAI is also spending heavily, with internal estimates suggesting an annual burn rate of around $8.5 billion.Google’s position in the AI race is strengthened by its financial scale. The company, valued at around $3.6 trillion, has generated over $70 billion in free cash flow in the past year. A share of that comes from providing cloud services not only to its own AI projects but also to OpenAI and competitors such as Anthropic.&nbsp;<h2>Google’s ‘full-stack advantage’ raises pressure on rivals</h2>Analysts say Google currently benefits from what they call a “full-stack advantage”. The company controls its entire AI pipeline from research and custom chips to cloud hosting and products used by millions each day.Gemini 3 was integrated immediately into Google Search, the Gemini app, and tools used by more than 650 million monthly users. This gives Google a faster route to scale compared to companies like OpenAI, which depend on external partners for computing infrastructure.In his memo, Altman encouraged employees to stay focused on long-term goals.He wrote:“We have built enough strength as a company to weather great models shipping elsewhere.”He added that most of OpenAI’s research team is now focused on reaching what he calls “superintelligence”, and admitted that the company is handling several difficult tasks at once from research to infrastructure to product development.Altman ended the message on a determined note:&nbsp;“I wouldn’t trade positions with any other company.”&nbsp;<h2>OpenAI pushes ahead&nbsp;</h2>The memo highlights the growing intensity of the global AI race, with OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and Anthropic all competing to build more capable models. While Google may have gained momentum with Gemini 3, Altman’s message suggests that OpenAI believes it still has a strong position which is supported by rapid research progress and high global demand.

OpenAI’s Sam Altman has warned staff that Google’s new Gemini 3 model could create short-term pressure for the company. As Google’s AI tools improve quickly, OpenAI faces fresh competition in key areas like coding and design, raising new questions about the race in advanced AI.


OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has acknowledged that Google’s latest advances in artificial intelligence could create ‘temporary economic headwinds’ for the company. The comments were made in an internal memo sent to employees. The memo was written shortly before Google launched Gemini 3 on 18 November, which the company described as its “most intelligent model yet”. Early feedback from developers shows Gemini 3 performing strongly in website design, coding, and other tasks that bring in major revenue for OpenAI. Competition rises as ChatGPT engagement cools OpenAI is facing pressure on more than one front. According to the company’s chief financial officer Sarah Friar, ChatGPT has seen a dip in user engagement in recent months. She said during a quarterly earnings call that the slowdown began after OpenAI introduced new content restrictions in August to limit unsafe responses. Despite the softer engagement, the company is on track to meet its 2025 revenue target of $13 billion, as per the same report. However, OpenAI is also spending heavily, with internal estimates suggesting an annual burn rate of around $8.5 billion. Google’s position in the AI race is strengthened by its financial scale. The company, valued at around $3.6 trillion, has generated over $70 billion in free cash flow in the past year. A share of that comes from providing cloud services not only to its own AI projects but also to OpenAI and competitors such as Anthropic. Google’s ‘full-stack advantage’ raises pressure on rivals Analysts say Google currently benefits from what they call a “full-stack advantage”. The company controls its entire AI pipeline from research and custom chips to cloud hosting and products used by millions each day. Gemini 3 was integrated immediately into Google Search, the Gemini app, and tools used by more than 650 million monthly users. This gives Google a faster route to scale compared to companies like OpenAI, which depend on external partners for computing infrastructure. In his memo, Altman encouraged employees to stay focused on long-term goals. He wrote: “We have built enough strength as a company to weather great models shipping elsewhere.” He added that most of OpenAI’s research team is now focused on reaching what he calls “superintelligence”, and admitted that the company is handling several difficult tasks at once from research to infrastructure to product development. Altman ended the message on a determined note: “I wouldn’t trade positions with any other company.” OpenAI pushes ahead The memo highlights the growing intensity of the global AI race, with OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and Anthropic all competing to build more capable models. While Google may have gained momentum with Gemini 3, Altman’s message suggests that OpenAI believes it still has a strong position which is supported by rapid research progress and high global demand.

OpenAI’s Sam Altman has warned staff that Google’s new Gemini 3 model could create short-term pressure for the company. As Google’s AI tools improve quickly, OpenAI faces fresh competition in key areas like coding and design, raising new questions about the race in advanced AI.

Sam Altman admits Google’s AI progress is creating ‘economic headwinds’

Smart TVs look great and feel convenient, but they come with real privacy concerns. Here’s a quick look at five simple steps that help you stay in control of what your TV sees and hears.

Is your smart TV secretly listening? 5 steps to fix privacy issues

The announcement by Meta that it would ban kids aged below 16 from its massively popular social media networks, Instagram and Facebook, is a pivotal moment in addressing Big Tech influence over the lives of teens, and an example of how whistleblowers and a determined government can force these multinational firms to act. The ban will begin from December 4 this year, ahead of the law taking full effect on December 10. With this law, Australia has led the path for restrictions aimed at weaning away children from the mental-health issues linked to social media addiction. The ban is coming at the end of a long saga of whistleblower disclosures, parent complaints, government rule changes and public pressure on platform practices. Both sides of the Australian political establishment united in making one of the most powerful technology companies on the planet comply. Meta, which owns Instagram, Facebook and Threads fervently opposed the legislation until late 2024. But it will now be deactivating the accounts it had long insisted it could not reliably identify.<h2>A platform economy built on adolescent engagement faced whistleblower pressure</h2>The lid on Meta’s stranglehold on teen engagement was blown in 2023 and 2024, when whistleblowers from inside major social media companies stepped forward to tell the truth. They publicly described sophisticated internal systems used by these companies to estimate user ages and track behaviour patterns. The revelations showed that many social media companies have behind-the-scenes tech that actively tailors content and ads for young teens. This sharply contradicted years of claims by the tech giants that their platforms could not meaningfully detect underage users without forcing everyone to submit government IDs.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/meta-australia-to-ban-under-16s-from-facebook-instagram-how-whistleblowers-and-a-determined-government-forced-a-big-tech-giant-to-act-1763624351306">‘Reels vs Shorts’: Which short-video format Indians watch more?</a><h2>Targeted advertising is possible, but not targeted classification of users?</h2>The claims by insiders led Australian lawmakers and child-safety advocates to ask the key question: if these platforms already have enough tech and data to identify minors for targeted advertising and safety features, why can’t they introduce similar tools to stop children from opening accounts in the first place? Amid lawmaker pressure, the government commissioned age-assurance technology trials in 2024 and 2025. These trials offered a partial vindication: even though not perfect, platforms had enough signals and data to take what the law would later describe as “reasonable steps” to address teen use of social media.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-reposts-friends-tab-to-maps-instagram-launches-new-features-netizens-say-it-s-wannabe-tiktok-x-1754550475513">From Reposts to Maps: Instagram launches new features, netizens say 'it's wannabe TikTok, X'</a><h2>Australia passed a world-first law on under-16s' social media access</h2>The pivotal moment came on 28 November 2024, when the Australian Parliament passed a world-first law. The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill banned users under 16 from “age-restricted” platforms. It required companies to enforce the prohibition one way or another. It went beyond so-called parental consent, which is not always practical. What made the tech giants sit up and take Australia seriously was the steep penalties for non-compliance, set at up to A$49.5 million. The law’s obligations roll out from 10 December this year, giving companies nearly a year to prepare.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/instagram-to-limit-content-for-teens-here-s-what-we-know-about-meta-s-pg-13-safeguards-to-protect-children-1760464490383">Instagram to limit content for teens? Here’s what we know about Meta’s new move</a>&nbsp;In June this year, an age-assurance trial report outlined what platforms could and could not reliably detect when it comes to underage access. On July 30, new rules were published defining which services counted as “age-restricted.” On November 5, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner finalised an initial list which included Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Snapchat, X, YouTube, Reddit and Kick, while exempting messaging and education services.<h2>Meta eventually yields</h2>Meta was forced to shift from criticising the Australian law as ‘ineffective’ to pledging compliance, possibly because of the financial and reputational stakes involved. Facing a parliamentary hearing in October, representatives of Meta, TikTok and Snap agreed to deactivate underage accounts. On November 16, Meta began notifying Australian users aged 13 to 15 of their upcoming account deactivation. From 4 December, Meta will start the phased shutdown of under-16 accounts. It will also block new sign-ups ahead of the 10 December enforcement deadline.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/meta-to-pay-trump-25-million-to-settle-lawsuit-over-facebook-and-instagram-8675975/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/meta-to-pay-trump-25-million-to-settle-lawsuit-over-facebook-and-instagram-8675975/embed</a><h2>Will it end social media overuse by underage individuals?</h2>The calls for keeping underage individuals off social media came after a series of cases involving online bullying, self-harm and even suicides. The Australian government has now forced one of the world’s largest companies to deploy technology it had long resisted or said was impossible. Will the ban reduce harm for teens? Or will they go into new, harder-to-track services? That remains to be seen, but regulators across the world are watching developments in Australia closely.


Australia’s under-16 social media ban has now forced Meta to deactivate Facebook, Instagram, and Threads accounts for the kids. This came after whistleblower revelations and government pressure on Big Tech compliance. How did this world-first move happen?

The announcement by Meta that it would ban kids aged below 16 from its massively popular social media networks, Instagram and Facebook, is a pivotal moment in addressing Big Tech influence over the lives of teens, and an example of how whistleblowers and a determined government can force these multinational firms to act. The ban will begin from December 4 this year, ahead of the law taking full effect on December 10. With this law, Australia has led the path for restrictions aimed at weaning away children from the mental-health issues linked to social media addiction. The ban is coming at the end of a long saga of whistleblower disclosures, parent complaints, government rule changes and public pressure on platform practices. Both sides of the Australian political establishment united in making one of the most powerful technology companies on the planet comply. Meta, which owns Instagram, Facebook and Threads fervently opposed the legislation until late 2024. But it will now be deactivating the accounts it had long insisted it could not reliably identify. A platform economy built on adolescent engagement faced whistleblower pressure The lid on Meta’s stranglehold on teen engagement was blown in 2023 and 2024, when whistleblowers from inside major social media companies stepped forward to tell the truth. They publicly described sophisticated internal systems used by these companies to estimate user ages and track behaviour patterns. The revelations showed that many social media companies have behind-the-scenes tech that actively tailors content and ads for young teens. This sharply contradicted years of claims by the tech giants that their platforms could not meaningfully detect underage users without forcing everyone to submit government IDs. Also read: ‘Reels vs Shorts’: Which short-video format Indians watch more? Targeted advertising is possible, but not targeted classification of users? The claims by insiders led Australian lawmakers and child-safety advocates to ask the key question: if these platforms already have enough tech and data to identify minors for targeted advertising and safety features, why can’t they introduce similar tools to stop children from opening accounts in the first place? Amid lawmaker pressure, the government commissioned age-assurance technology trials in 2024 and 2025. These trials offered a partial vindication: even though not perfect, platforms had enough signals and data to take what the law would later describe as “reasonable steps” to address teen use of social media. Also read: From Reposts to Maps: Instagram launches new features, netizens say 'it's wannabe TikTok, X' Australia passed a world-first law on under-16s' social media access The pivotal moment came on 28 November 2024, when the Australian Parliament passed a world-first law. The Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Bill banned users under 16 from “age-restricted” platforms. It required companies to enforce the prohibition one way or another. It went beyond so-called parental consent, which is not always practical. What made the tech giants sit up and take Australia seriously was the steep penalties for non-compliance, set at up to A$49.5 million. The law’s obligations roll out from 10 December this year, giving companies nearly a year to prepare. Also read: Instagram to limit content for teens? Here’s what we know about Meta’s new move In June this year, an age-assurance trial report outlined what platforms could and could not reliably detect when it comes to underage access. On July 30, new rules were published defining which services counted as “age-restricted.” On November 5, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner finalised an initial list which included Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Snapchat, X, YouTube, Reddit and Kick, while exempting messaging and education services. Meta eventually yields Meta was forced to shift from criticising the Australian law as ‘ineffective’ to pledging compliance, possibly because of the financial and reputational stakes involved. Facing a parliamentary hearing in October, representatives of Meta, TikTok and Snap agreed to deactivate underage accounts. On November 16, Meta began notifying Australian users aged 13 to 15 of their upcoming account deactivation. From 4 December, Meta will start the phased shutdown of under-16 accounts. It will also block new sign-ups ahead of the 10 December enforcement deadline. https://www.wionews.com/videos/meta-to-pay-trump-25-million-to-settle-lawsuit-over-facebook-and-instagram-8675975/embed Will it end social media overuse by underage individuals? The calls for keeping underage individuals off social media came after a series of cases involving online bullying, self-harm and even suicides. The Australian government has now forced one of the world’s largest companies to deploy technology it had long resisted or said was impossible. Will the ban reduce harm for teens? Or will they go into new, harder-to-track services? That remains to be seen, but regulators across the world are watching developments in Australia closely.

Australia’s under-16 social media ban has now forced Meta to deactivate Facebook, Instagram, and Threads accounts for the kids. This came after whistleblower revelations and government pressure on Big Tech compliance. How did this world-first move happen?

Meta Australia to ban under-16s from Facebook, Instagram: How whistleblowers and a determined government forced a Big Tech giant to act

Google CEO Sundar Pichai has said that no company in the world, including Google, will be protected if the current AI boom collapses. He said this during an interview with the BBC, where he spoke openly about the rising fears of an AI market bubble fuelled by heavy investment and soaring valuations.&nbsp;Pichai described the moment as “extraordinary” but admitted that the market is showing “elements of irrationality”, similar to the early 2000s dot-com bubble.<h2>AI valuations raising concerns across markets</h2>According to the BBC report, analysts have questioned whether current AI valuations can last, as both large tech companies and start-ups attract huge funding.Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has seen its shares rise around 46 per cent this year, supported by investor confidence in its AI products and competition with OpenAI.&nbsp;However, fears of a bubble are also visible in wider markets. In the United States, high AI valuations have started to affect broader trading sentiment. British policymakers have also issued warnings about the “bubble-like” environment forming around AI companies.&nbsp;In September, Alphabet announced a £5 billion investment over two years in the UK to support AI research and infrastructure, including a new data centre and additional funding for DeepMind. The company also plans to begin training AI models in Britain, a move welcomed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer as part of his aim to make the country a global AI leader.&nbsp;Pichai: Google not immune despite its strong position&nbsp;When asked if Google would remain unaffected if the AI bubble bursts, Pichai told the BBC:&nbsp;“I think no company is going to be immune, including us.”&nbsp;He added that Google may still be in a better position than others because it runs a full-stack system managing everything from data centres to consumer products. This gives the company more control, which could help it stay stable even during a market downturn.&nbsp;Still, he acknowledged that the rapid growth of AI models requires massive computing power and energy, and Alphabet’s own net-zero targets are likely to be delayed due to the rising energy demands of AI.&nbsp;Pichai warns users not to “blindly trust” AI chatbots&nbsp;The BBC report also highlights Pichai’s comments on AI hallucinations situations where AI tools produce incorrect information with confidence.&nbsp;The Google CEO said AI systems can still make mistakes, and users should always verify important information. He added:&nbsp;People “have to learn to use these tools for what they’re good at, and not blindly trust everything they say.”&nbsp;Google has faced similar concerns with its own models as the company tries to improve the accuracy and reliability of AI tools used by millions.&nbsp;<h2>Dot-com comparison adds weight to market fears</h2>Pichai’s comment that there are “elements of irrationality” echoes past warnings from major market figures.&nbsp;Earlier, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon told the BBC that the rising US stock market looked unsustainable and that “some of the money being invested in AI is bound to be lost”.&nbsp;Like the dot-com era, many analysts now believe only a few AI companies will succeed in the long run, while others may fail if the bubble bursts.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Google CEO Sundar Pichai warns that no company is safe if the AI boom collapses. He says the market shows signs of “irrationality”, like the dot-com bubble, and urges users not to blindly trust AI tools as big firms race to invest billions in advanced technology.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai has said that no company in the world, including Google, will be protected if the current AI boom collapses. He said this during an interview with the BBC, where he spoke openly about the rising fears of an AI market bubble fuelled by heavy investment and soaring valuations. Pichai described the moment as “extraordinary” but admitted that the market is showing “elements of irrationality”, similar to the early 2000s dot-com bubble. AI valuations raising concerns across markets According to the BBC report, analysts have questioned whether current AI valuations can last, as both large tech companies and start-ups attract huge funding. Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has seen its shares rise around 46 per cent this year, supported by investor confidence in its AI products and competition with OpenAI. However, fears of a bubble are also visible in wider markets. In the United States, high AI valuations have started to affect broader trading sentiment. British policymakers have also issued warnings about the “bubble-like” environment forming around AI companies. In September, Alphabet announced a £5 billion investment over two years in the UK to support AI research and infrastructure, including a new data centre and additional funding for DeepMind. The company also plans to begin training AI models in Britain, a move welcomed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer as part of his aim to make the country a global AI leader. Pichai: Google not immune despite its strong position When asked if Google would remain unaffected if the AI bubble bursts, Pichai told the BBC: “I think no company is going to be immune, including us.” He added that Google may still be in a better position than others because it runs a full-stack system managing everything from data centres to consumer products. This gives the company more control, which could help it stay stable even during a market downturn. Still, he acknowledged that the rapid growth of AI models requires massive computing power and energy, and Alphabet’s own net-zero targets are likely to be delayed due to the rising energy demands of AI. Pichai warns users not to “blindly trust” AI chatbots The BBC report also highlights Pichai’s comments on AI hallucinations situations where AI tools produce incorrect information with confidence. The Google CEO said AI systems can still make mistakes, and users should always verify important information. He added: People “have to learn to use these tools for what they’re good at, and not blindly trust everything they say.” Google has faced similar concerns with its own models as the company tries to improve the accuracy and reliability of AI tools used by millions. Dot-com comparison adds weight to market fears Pichai’s comment that there are “elements of irrationality” echoes past warnings from major market figures. Earlier, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon told the BBC that the rising US stock market looked unsustainable and that “some of the money being invested in AI is bound to be lost”. Like the dot-com era, many analysts now believe only a few AI companies will succeed in the long run, while others may fail if the bubble bursts.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai warns that no company is safe if the AI boom collapses. He says the market shows signs of “irrationality”, like the dot-com bubble, and urges users not to blindly trust AI tools as big firms race to invest billions in advanced technology.

AI bubble risk: Sundar Pichai warns no company will be safe if the AI bubble bursts

A group of computer scientists at the University of Vienna have managed to scrape all the contact numbers linked to the 3.5 bn WhatsApp accounts, and at least 57 per cent of the publicly available profile pictures by abusing WhatsApp's contact discovery feature. Among the active users, nearly 750 mn were from India, and 62 per cent of Indian users had a visible profile picture. They also manage to salvage the about text, companion-device usage, business account information, and more.<h2>The Method Used</h2>They exploited the contact discovery algorithm of WhatsApp. For instance, you save a phone number on your phone, and when your WhatsApp has access to your phone book, WhatsApp shows if the number is available on WhatsApp, pulls out the profile picture too if it is publicly visible, using advanced techniques leveraging the platform’s XMPP endpoints.&nbsp;<h2>Why is this alarming?</h2>The sheer scale of profile data that was extracted by the researcher shows the ineffective nature of the rate-limiting that WhatsApp has claimed to implement. This also reflects that a large amount of profile data is exposed to scraping and profiling by malicious entities. Eventhough the flow didn't involve breaking WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption, but exposed a design flow that users who believe that their contact details and profile picture are visible to only the contact list can be exploited if it is set to everybody, and can be used to create vast databases of personally identifiable information like a ‘reverse phone-book’, “Beyond facial features, additional elements captured in profile pictures, such as license plates, street signs, or recognizable landmarks, could enable more sophisticated profiling and leak a user’s identity, location, or daily environment.” read the research paper. In India user's phone number or email address is classified as personal data, under the DPDP Act 2023; however, the provisions of the act do not apply to the personal data that has been publicly made available by the user.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Researchers scraped 3.5 billion WhatsApp numbers and millions of profile pictures by exploiting a contact discovery flaw, exposing major privacy risks for users.

A group of computer scientists at the University of Vienna have managed to scrape all the contact numbers linked to the 3.5 bn WhatsApp accounts, and at least 57 per cent of the publicly available profile pictures by abusing WhatsApp's contact discovery feature. Among the active users, nearly 750 mn were from India, and 62 per cent of Indian users had a visible profile picture. They also manage to salvage the about text, companion-device usage, business account information, and more. The Method Used They exploited the contact discovery algorithm of WhatsApp. For instance, you save a phone number on your phone, and when your WhatsApp has access to your phone book, WhatsApp shows if the number is available on WhatsApp, pulls out the profile picture too if it is publicly visible, using advanced techniques leveraging the platform’s XMPP endpoints. Why is this alarming? The sheer scale of profile data that was extracted by the researcher shows the ineffective nature of the rate-limiting that WhatsApp has claimed to implement. This also reflects that a large amount of profile data is exposed to scraping and profiling by malicious entities. Eventhough the flow didn't involve breaking WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption, but exposed a design flow that users who believe that their contact details and profile picture are visible to only the contact list can be exploited if it is set to everybody, and can be used to create vast databases of personally identifiable information like a ‘reverse phone-book’, “Beyond facial features, additional elements captured in profile pictures, such as license plates, street signs, or recognizable landmarks, could enable more sophisticated profiling and leak a user’s identity, location, or daily environment.” read the research paper. In India user's phone number or email address is classified as personal data, under the DPDP Act 2023; however, the provisions of the act do not apply to the personal data that has been publicly made available by the user.

Researchers scraped 3.5 billion WhatsApp numbers and millions of profile pictures by exploiting a contact discovery flaw, exposing major privacy risks for users.

Researchers scrape 3.5 bn phone numbers linked to WhatsApp accounts, can be used to create 'reverse phone-book'

The microblogging platform, X, owned by Elon Musk, is down for several users across the country. Based on the data from Downdetector, the problem increased sharply in the last 24 hours. The major issues flagged were with the feed (44 per cent), the website itself (30 per cent), and server connections (27 per cent). This downtime appears to be affecting users globally, though mobile apps are less impacted.&nbsp;The problem occurred due to the global outage of Cloudflare, as it has also reported downtime. Cloudflare is a global internet infrastructure company that provides security and traffic management for websites.&nbsp;Cloudflare serves as a protective layer and traffic manager for thousands of online platforms. When it experiences problems, numerous websites and apps may slow down or go offline, which could be why Twitter users are encountering widespread connectivity issues.<h3>Other sites linked with Cloudflare also experienced&nbsp;</h3>In addition to X, Perplexity, Gemini, and others have shared error messages related to Cloudflare, and the company has also confirmed that it is facing a technical issue.&nbsp;“Cloudflare is aware of and investigating an issue which impacts multiple customers. Widespread 500 errors, Cloudflare Dashboard and API also failing. We are working to understand the full impact and mitigate this problem. More updates to follow shortly,” Cloudflare said in a post on its status page.&nbsp;OpenAI has also updated on its website, confirming that ChatGPT and some of its other platforms are down, and it is investigating the issue to fix those errors. However, the AI startup hasn't confirmed whether the issue is linked to the Cloudflare outage or not.&nbsp;This is not the first instance when the X has gone down and bothered its regular users. It is a recurring disruption over which several users experienced problems while accessing it. Previously, similar issues have arisen, ranging from feed failures to posting restrictions, and have surfaced multiple times.&nbsp;(This is a developing story. More details are being updated.)

The problem occurred due to the global outage of Cloudflare, as it has also reported downtime. Cloudflare is a global internet infrastructure company that provides security and traffic management for websites.

The microblogging platform, X, owned by Elon Musk, is down for several users across the country. Based on the data from Downdetector, the problem increased sharply in the last 24 hours. The major issues flagged were with the feed (44 per cent), the website itself (30 per cent), and server connections (27 per cent). This downtime appears to be affecting users globally, though mobile apps are less impacted. The problem occurred due to the global outage of Cloudflare, as it has also reported downtime. Cloudflare is a global internet infrastructure company that provides security and traffic management for websites. Cloudflare serves as a protective layer and traffic manager for thousands of online platforms. When it experiences problems, numerous websites and apps may slow down or go offline, which could be why Twitter users are encountering widespread connectivity issues. Other sites linked with Cloudflare also experienced In addition to X, Perplexity, Gemini, and others have shared error messages related to Cloudflare, and the company has also confirmed that it is facing a technical issue. “Cloudflare is aware of and investigating an issue which impacts multiple customers. Widespread 500 errors, Cloudflare Dashboard and API also failing. We are working to understand the full impact and mitigate this problem. More updates to follow shortly,” Cloudflare said in a post on its status page. OpenAI has also updated on its website, confirming that ChatGPT and some of its other platforms are down, and it is investigating the issue to fix those errors. However, the AI startup hasn't confirmed whether the issue is linked to the Cloudflare outage or not. This is not the first instance when the X has gone down and bothered its regular users. It is a recurring disruption over which several users experienced problems while accessing it. Previously, similar issues have arisen, ranging from feed failures to posting restrictions, and have surfaced multiple times. (This is a developing story. More details are being updated.)

The problem occurred due to the global outage of Cloudflare, as it has also reported downtime. Cloudflare is a global internet infrastructure company that provides security and traffic management for websites.

X, Gemini, ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other platforms go down — Know what’s happening

Jeff Bezos, who stepped down as CEO of Amazon in 2021, is now leading a new AI venture backed by $6.2 billion, marking his first return to a co-chief executive position in four years. The new venture of Amazon's founder is called ‘Project Prometheus’, which is set to build AI products for engineering and manufacturing in multiple sectors, including computers, aerospace, and automobiles&nbsp;Bezos will act as co-chief executive alongside Vik Bajaj, a prominent Silicon Valley researcher who also worked with Google co-founder Sergey Brin at the tech giant's experimental X lab, who also co-founded life sciences research unit Verily.<h3>What is Project Prometheus?</h3>Based on a report published in the New York Times, the project 'Prometheus' focuses on developing advanced artificial intelligence tools to accelerate engineering and manufacturing processes in sectors like aerospace, automobiles, and computing. The company employs researchers from leading AI firms and aims to create AI models that learn from complex physical experiments rather than just text.&nbsp;The Project Prometheus aligns with the broader vision of Bezos for space exploration and technological innovation, integrating AI applications to support robotics, scientific discovery, and cost-effective off-planet labour. The startup is already working with more than 100 staff members, including AI researchers from companies like Meta, OpenAI, and Google DeepMind.&nbsp;The AI race has transformed into one of the most significant battlegrounds in tech over the past few years as soon ChatGPT’s breakout in late 2022. As a result, giant IT companies like Meta, Microsoft, and Google have also shifted their focus toward AI.&nbsp;Unlike the generative AI technology behind ChatGPT, it also focuses on developing systems that learn from real-world experimentation, rather than just digital text, to intensify scientific discovery in physics, chemistry and engineering.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-calls-jeff-bezos-a-copycat-after-amazon-founder-launched-6-2b-ai-startup-prometheus-1763445449642">Elon Musk calls Jeff Bezos a ‘copycat’ after Amazon founder launches $6.2B AI startup ‘Prometheus’</a>

Jeff Bezos will act as co-chief executive alongside Vik Bajaj, a prominent Silicon Valley researcher who also worked with Google co-founder Sergey Brin at the tech giant's experimental X lab, who also co-founded life sciences research unit Verily.

Jeff Bezos, who stepped down as CEO of Amazon in 2021, is now leading a new AI venture backed by $6.2 billion, marking his first return to a co-chief executive position in four years. The new venture of Amazon's founder is called ‘Project Prometheus’, which is set to build AI products for engineering and manufacturing in multiple sectors, including computers, aerospace, and automobiles Bezos will act as co-chief executive alongside Vik Bajaj, a prominent Silicon Valley researcher who also worked with Google co-founder Sergey Brin at the tech giant's experimental X lab, who also co-founded life sciences research unit Verily. What is Project Prometheus? Based on a report published in the New York Times, the project 'Prometheus' focuses on developing advanced artificial intelligence tools to accelerate engineering and manufacturing processes in sectors like aerospace, automobiles, and computing. The company employs researchers from leading AI firms and aims to create AI models that learn from complex physical experiments rather than just text. The Project Prometheus aligns with the broader vision of Bezos for space exploration and technological innovation, integrating AI applications to support robotics, scientific discovery, and cost-effective off-planet labour. The startup is already working with more than 100 staff members, including AI researchers from companies like Meta, OpenAI, and Google DeepMind. The AI race has transformed into one of the most significant battlegrounds in tech over the past few years as soon ChatGPT’s breakout in late 2022. As a result, giant IT companies like Meta, Microsoft, and Google have also shifted their focus toward AI. Unlike the generative AI technology behind ChatGPT, it also focuses on developing systems that learn from real-world experimentation, rather than just digital text, to intensify scientific discovery in physics, chemistry and engineering. Also read: Elon Musk calls Jeff Bezos a ‘copycat’ after Amazon founder launches $6.2B AI startup ‘Prometheus’

Jeff Bezos will act as co-chief executive alongside Vik Bajaj, a prominent Silicon Valley researcher who also worked with Google co-founder Sergey Brin at the tech giant's experimental X lab, who also co-founded life sciences research unit Verily.

What is Project 'Prometheus'? Jeff Bezos’ $6.2B AI startup to transform THESE sectors

The founder of xAI, Elon Musk, has mocked Jeff Bezos by calling him a “copycat” after reports surfaced that the founder of Amazon is coming up with his new venture called ‘Project Prometheus’, which has already raised $6.2 billion. He will act as co-chief executive of the AI startup, with a significant contribution to its founding from his end, according to The New York Times.&nbsp;After the news about Prometheus surfaced, Elon Musk didn’t hold back and wrote on X, “Haha no way … Copy 🐈” (sic), openly accusing Jeff Bezos of mimicking his AI ambitions, a charge he’s levelled before. Musk’s own venture, xAI, is already a major player in the generative AI space.&nbsp;It isn’t the first time the Tesla and SpaceX chief has used the “copycat” dig. In 2020, he hurled the same insult at Bezos after Amazon bought the self-driving startup Zoox.&nbsp;This will be the first time that Jeff Bezos will return to an executive position since stepping down as the CEO of Amazon in 2021. He will share the position of CEO of Project Prometheus with Vik Bajaj, co-founder of Verily and Foresite Labs.<h3>What is Project Prometheus?</h3>The startup is set to build AI products for engineering and manufacturing in multiple sectors, which include computers, aerospace, and automobiles, according to the NYT report. The startup is already working with more than 100 staff members, including AI researchers from companies like Meta, OpenAI, and Google DeepMind.&nbsp;The AI race has transformed into one of the most significant battlegrounds in tech over the past few years as soon ChatGPT’s breakout in late 2022. As a result, giant IT companies like Meta, Microsoft, and Google have also shifted their focus toward AI.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-day-vs-night-when-is-the-best-time-to-fill-petrol-in-your-car-1763310782901">'Day vs Night': When is the best time to fill petrol in your car?</a>

This will be the first time that Jeff Bezos will return to an executive position since stepping down as the CEO of Amazon in 2021. He will share the position of CEO of Project Prometheus with Vik Bajaj, co-founder of Verily and Foresite Labs.

The founder of xAI, Elon Musk, has mocked Jeff Bezos by calling him a “copycat” after reports surfaced that the founder of Amazon is coming up with his new venture called ‘Project Prometheus’, which has already raised $6.2 billion. He will act as co-chief executive of the AI startup, with a significant contribution to its founding from his end, according to The New York Times. After the news about Prometheus surfaced, Elon Musk didn’t hold back and wrote on X, “Haha no way … Copy 🐈” (sic), openly accusing Jeff Bezos of mimicking his AI ambitions, a charge he’s levelled before. Musk’s own venture, xAI, is already a major player in the generative AI space. It isn’t the first time the Tesla and SpaceX chief has used the “copycat” dig. In 2020, he hurled the same insult at Bezos after Amazon bought the self-driving startup Zoox. This will be the first time that Jeff Bezos will return to an executive position since stepping down as the CEO of Amazon in 2021. He will share the position of CEO of Project Prometheus with Vik Bajaj, co-founder of Verily and Foresite Labs. What is Project Prometheus? The startup is set to build AI products for engineering and manufacturing in multiple sectors, which include computers, aerospace, and automobiles, according to the NYT report. The startup is already working with more than 100 staff members, including AI researchers from companies like Meta, OpenAI, and Google DeepMind. The AI race has transformed into one of the most significant battlegrounds in tech over the past few years as soon ChatGPT’s breakout in late 2022. As a result, giant IT companies like Meta, Microsoft, and Google have also shifted their focus toward AI. Also read: 'Day vs Night': When is the best time to fill petrol in your car?

This will be the first time that Jeff Bezos will return to an executive position since stepping down as the CEO of Amazon in 2021. He will share the position of CEO of Project Prometheus with Vik Bajaj, co-founder of Verily and Foresite Labs.

Elon Musk calls Jeff Bezos a ‘copycat’ after Amazon founder launches $6.2B AI startup 'Prometheus'

&nbsp;The Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett, did not make a bet on Google in its early years — a decision he has often publicly regretted. But now, the legendary investor has come full circle. His firm, Berkshire Hathaway, has bought shares worth 4.3 billion US dollars in Alphabet Inc, and the stock of the tech giant jumped following the announcement.<h2>What Buffett did on Alphabet Inc</h2>Buffett has generally avoided technology stocks, instead focusing on cash-steady, durable businesses. Thus, Berkshire Hathaway’s newly disclosed multibillion-dollar position in Alphabet was a surprise to markets and energised investors. Buffett has repeatedly acknowledged missing early opportunities in companies like Google and Amazon. Berkshire’s third-quarter 2025 regulatory filing shows a new position of 17.85 million Alphabet shares, valued at about 4.3 billion US dollars. This marks a departure for Berkshire, which has typically favoured banking, energy and insurance stocks.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/google-accused-of-unfair-search-tactics-eu-launches-new-antitrust-probe-1763046475331/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/google-accused-of-unfair-search-tactics-eu-launches-new-antitrust-probe-1763046475331/embed</a><h2>Why Buffett invested in Alphabet Inc now</h2>Buffett likely saw appeal in Alphabet’s enormous free cash flow, its dominant digital advertising business, growing cloud division, and emerging AI capabilities. Alphabet Inc generated roughly 88 billion US dollars in free cash flow in 2024. Its AI updates, powered by its Gemini platform, have strengthened its competitive position against rivals. For Buffett — always a value investor — these traits possibly resembled the durable economics he seeks in long-term holdings. Even amid warnings of an AI-driven stock bubble, Berkshire’s move suggests confidence that Alphabet’s fundamentals are strong enough to outweigh short-term market noise, according to analysts.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/alphabets-gemini-ai-sparks-market-surge-paving-the-way-for-googles-technological-leap-669862">Alphabet's Gemini AI sparks market surge, paving the way for Google's technological leap</a><h2>Alphabet shares see a Buffet bump</h2>After Berkshire’s disclosure, Alphabet shares rose. The initial stake value of about 4.34 billion US dollars for 17.85 million shares contributed to a modest lift in trading, reflecting the familiar “Buffett effect”, where his investments are seen as endorsements of a company’s intrinsic value. Alphabet stock remained near recent highs, having closed at US$ 276.41 apiece, supported by strong quarterly performance, including revenue of 84.7 billion US dollars and net income of 23.8 billion US dollars in its latest reported quarter.Also read: '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/-milestone-quarter-sundar-pichai-reveals-google-s-bumper-earnings-amid-ai-boom-1761807089387">Milestone quarter': Sundar Pichai reveals Google's bumper earnings amid AI boom</a><h2>Buffett’s Alphabet purchase: A strategic evolution for Berkshire</h2>As Buffett’s investment firm prepares for a leadership transition — with Greg Abel set to take over — the Alphabet investment signals a willingness to selectively embrace tech giants with clear competitive advantages. For Alphabet shareholders, the move adds credibility to the long-term growth story of Google’s expansive ecosystem.&nbsp;

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway bought 17.85 million Alphabet shares worth $4.3 billion. The Google stock has seen a 'Buffet bump', signalling a rare tech bet by the Oracle of Omaha despite AI bubble concerns.


The Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett, did not make a bet on Google in its early years — a decision he has often publicly regretted. But now, the legendary investor has come full circle. His firm, Berkshire Hathaway, has bought shares worth 4.3 billion US dollars in Alphabet Inc, and the stock of the tech giant jumped following the announcement. What Buffett did on Alphabet Inc Buffett has generally avoided technology stocks, instead focusing on cash-steady, durable businesses. Thus, Berkshire Hathaway’s newly disclosed multibillion-dollar position in Alphabet was a surprise to markets and energised investors. Buffett has repeatedly acknowledged missing early opportunities in companies like Google and Amazon. Berkshire’s third-quarter 2025 regulatory filing shows a new position of 17.85 million Alphabet shares, valued at about 4.3 billion US dollars. This marks a departure for Berkshire, which has typically favoured banking, energy and insurance stocks. https://www.wionews.com/videos/google-accused-of-unfair-search-tactics-eu-launches-new-antitrust-probe-1763046475331/embed Why Buffett invested in Alphabet Inc now Buffett likely saw appeal in Alphabet’s enormous free cash flow, its dominant digital advertising business, growing cloud division, and emerging AI capabilities. Alphabet Inc generated roughly 88 billion US dollars in free cash flow in 2024. Its AI updates, powered by its Gemini platform, have strengthened its competitive position against rivals. For Buffett — always a value investor — these traits possibly resembled the durable economics he seeks in long-term holdings. Even amid warnings of an AI-driven stock bubble, Berkshire’s move suggests confidence that Alphabet’s fundamentals are strong enough to outweigh short-term market noise, according to analysts. Also read: Alphabet's Gemini AI sparks market surge, paving the way for Google's technological leap Alphabet shares see a Buffet bump After Berkshire’s disclosure, Alphabet shares rose. The initial stake value of about 4.34 billion US dollars for 17.85 million shares contributed to a modest lift in trading, reflecting the familiar “Buffett effect”, where his investments are seen as endorsements of a company’s intrinsic value. Alphabet stock remained near recent highs, having closed at US$ 276.41 apiece, supported by strong quarterly performance, including revenue of 84.7 billion US dollars and net income of 23.8 billion US dollars in its latest reported quarter. Also read: 'Milestone quarter': Sundar Pichai reveals Google's bumper earnings amid AI boom Buffett’s Alphabet purchase: A strategic evolution for Berkshire As Buffett’s investment firm prepares for a leadership transition — with Greg Abel set to take over — the Alphabet investment signals a willingness to selectively embrace tech giants with clear competitive advantages. For Alphabet shareholders, the move adds credibility to the long-term growth story of Google’s expansive ecosystem.

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway bought 17.85 million Alphabet shares worth $4.3 billion. The Google stock has seen a 'Buffet bump', signalling a rare tech bet by the Oracle of Omaha despite AI bubble concerns. &nbsp;

Warren Buffett invests $4.3 billion in Alphabet Inc as Google parent stock dances to new highs

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Warren Buffett invests $4.3 bn in Alphabet Inc as Google parent stock rises