A $9.99 Scam Put a Billion People At Risk in India’s Hyper-Digital Economy

India is reportedly considering implementing a stringent smartphone surveillance plan, which has raised concerns about privacy and civil liberties. This follows a recent trend where the government mandated the pre-installation of a state-run cybersecurity app, Sanchar Saathi, on all smartphones, a decision that was later reversed due to public backlash.

A recent investigation revealed how victims of digital scams in India were targeted through meticulous methods involving police diaries, mobile records, and banking transactions. The report highlights the alarming rise of 'digital arrests' where individuals are scammed using sophisticated techniques, raising serious concerns about cybersecurity in the country.

SoftBank Group Corp. has agreed to sell a significant portion of its stake in InMobi Pte back to the mobile advertising company for approximately $250 million, marking a substantial reduction of its investment that originally helped establish India’s first unicorn in 2011.

India has announced that it will no longer require smartphone manufacturers to preinstall its state-run cybersecurity app, Sanchar Saathi, on devices. This decision follows a significant public backlash and concerns regarding privacy and data security raised by various stakeholders, including political parties and tech companies.

India's government has revoked its order requiring all smartphones to be pre-installed with the state-owned Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app, following significant public backlash and privacy concerns raised by tech companies like Apple and Google. The Department of Telecommunications confirmed the reversal after the initial mandate aimed to enhance national security and combat rising cybercrime.

India has decided to scrap its order mandating the pre-installation of a state-run cybersecurity app, Sanchar Saathi, on smartphones. This decision follows a previous directive aimed at enhancing national security and protecting user data amid rising cybercrime concerns. The app was intended to be non-removable from devices, raising significant privacy issues among users.

India's telecoms ministry has reversed its order requiring smartphone manufacturers to preinstall a government-run cybersecurity app, Sanchar Saathi, on new devices. This decision follows significant public backlash and concerns regarding privacy and data security.

India is encouraging coal plants to invest in upgrades that will enable them to operate at lower capacities, thereby creating more room for renewable energy sources in the national power grid. This initiative reflects a strategic shift towards integrating a higher percentage of renewables into the energy mix.