Most dating apps may share or sell your personal data for advertising: Report
Researchers share their top three privacy tips—treat your dating profile more like your LinkedIn profile, don’t log in with a third-party account and limit app permissions... Key Points
The Tribune IndiaRBI mulls to set up Digital India Trust Agency to check illegal lending apps
The Reserve Bank of India is considering establishing a Digital India Trust Agency (DIGITA) to combat cyber fraud and illegal lending apps. The agency will verify digital lending apps and maintain a public register of verified ones. apps without DIGITA's signature should be considered unauthorised for law enforcement. DIGITA will be responsible for vetting digital lending apps, promoting transparency and accountability. Key Points
Economic TimesYoel Roth, Twitter's Former Trust and Safety Chief, Is Trying to Clean Up Your Dating Apps
Yoel Roth suffered targeted harassment after quitting as top content cop at Elon Musk’s Twitter. Now he’s head of trust and safety at dating giant Match Group, owner of Tinder, Hinge, and more. Key Points
WIREDGoogle reinstates shaadi.com, naukri.com, other apps on Play Store amid criticism
The move comes after Google announced its plan to take action against 10 developers who had refused to comply with its payment policy.. Facing intense... Key Points
The Tribune IndiaMan opens up about seeking therapy for Tinder addiction, admits swiping through 500 profiles daily
British man, Ed Turner, opens up about his addiction to swiping on dating apps such as Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge, revealing he swiped through 500 profiles daily which eventually led to depression. He sought therapy as a result of his addiction. Key Points
India Today
Google, Facebook skim most data from apps for kids: study
Google is the leading recipient, collecting 33% of the data collected from children's apps, followed by Facebook at 22%, revealed a study by data privacy services company Arrka. In addition, 85% of the surveyed apps had accessed at least one “dangerous permission”, or permission for collecting highly sensitive data, the misuse of which can cause harm to children. Key Points
Economic TimesChinese company BabyBus is taking kids for a ride
BabyBus is still very active in India despite TikTok and other Chinese apps being banned. Experts have raised questions over the handling of Indians data by the company that provides customised free digital content primarily for children. Key Points
Economic TimesNew dangerous Android malware found in 14 apps, delete them immediately: Here is a list of apps
A recent discovery by McAfee researchers has revealed a new Android backdoor malware named 'Xamalicious,' infecting approximately 338,300 devices through malicious apps on the Google Play Store. Here are the details. Key Points
India Today3D visuals, hiking trails: See how maps and navigation apps are changing
There’s an app that watches the driver for signs of drowsiness; another lets users point to any 3-sq-m lot on the planet. Take a look. Key Points
Hindustan TimesFall in love: Is online dating getting outdated?
Some of the users, frustrated with their experience on dating apps, are moving toward offline events like singles mixers, and a few of them are organised by dating apps like Tinder and Truly Madly. These events address two major limitations of dating apps: gender ratio and a person's intent. “In India, 90% of active users on dating platforms are men. This is problematic for both genders as men are swiping and not getting enough matches and women are getting too many matches and getting bombarded by creepy messages,” says a founder of an offline. Key Points
Economic Times
Google will now let you report offensive AI-generated content on Play store
Google is implementing new directives for AI-driven apps, including ChatGPT and Bing. These regulations require the inclusion of a feature that enables users to report offensive or unsuitable AI-generated content. Key Points
India TodayBeware Android users some Google Play Store apps are infected with spyware, uninstall them right now
Researchers have discovered several Android apps on Google Play that contain malware. Users are advised to delete these apps from their phones immediately. Key Points
India TodayDangerous malware found in over 100 Android apps, uninstall these apps immediately from your phone
The new trojan malware called SpinOk was detected in 101 apps on Google Play Store. The malware was found disguised as an advertisement SDK in these apps. Key Points
India TodayApple blocked 1.7 million apps, removed 428,000 developer accounts from the App Store
Apple blocked 1.7 million apps on the App Store. To learn more, read the full story on The Hindu. Key Points
The HinduNumber of apps installed with the term “AI Chatbot” jump; in-app revenue surge: Report
Over 150 AI chatbot apps have been launched and published in app stores this year. To learn more, read the full story on The Hindu. Key Points
The Hindu
Android malware on Google Play Store apps behind unauthorised subscription charges: Report
Android malware was found generating unauthorised charges by subscribing users to premium services. To learn more, read the full story on The Hindu. Key Points
The HinduGoogle bans 36 malicious Android apps with over 100 million downloads on Play Store
Google has banned more than 30 malicious Android apps from Play Store, which were first spotted by McAfee. They are capable of performing a few functions on their own without even taking the consent of a smartphone owner. Key Points
India TodayMajority of men in India love gaming apps; women prefer food, messaging apps: Report
Majority of men in India love using gaming apps, while women prefer food and messaging apps, according to an analysis of 85 million Android smartphones by Bobble AI. Bobble AI report said that despite a 50% rise in the Indian users’ time spent over smartphones last year and the participation of women in the workforce rising consistently, only 11.3% of Indian women are using smartphones to access payment applications. Key Points
The HinduMHA wants 100+ apps linked to China, Philippines blocked
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), in the past, has sought a ban on as many as 500 apps that were sending data of Indians to China and other foreign destinations. In the last 2-3 months, we detected 117 new apps active on Google Play. The backend investigations revealed that they are communicating data to a foreign destination. It was further revealed that entities claiming to provide online loans were not in the business of lending, explained an official on condition of anonymity. Key Points
Economic TimesReddit communities stage blackouts in protest. See what happened
Thousands of Reddit communities have staged a blackout in protest of pricing changes that could lead to the closure of popular third-party apps. Major subreddits, including gaming, music, and r/todayilearned, have gone offline. Key Points
Economic Times
Why Telco body is citing Google-vs-Indian apps showdown in its own tussle with 'global behemoths'
Google last week delisted nearly 10 Indian apps from Play Store citing non-compliance with the billing policy. However, many were reinstated later, as the Centre also intervened. Key Points
ThePrintiPhone craze, Goa trips, to making ends meet, 'addictive' instant loan apps leading many into debt trap
Unsecured loans have been a concern for RBI for a while now. Last year, it took steps to make it more expensive for banks, NBFCs to give them out in bid to deter such borrowing. Key Points
ThePrintIndian internet companies dial up fight against Google
Indian companies have asked the government to give Google a “strategic response” on what they deem to be monopolistic behaviour by the US tech major. Meanwhile, Google has maintained that its actions against the ten companies are only to make the ecosystem “fair” for a “vast majority” of developers who comply with its norms. Key Points
Economic TimesLittle-Known Tips for Working Smarter With Your Office Software
You may think you know all there is to know about Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Excel, PowerPoint, Gmail, Outlook and other apps. But you probably don’t. Key Points
mintDon’t kill the golden goose
India represents one of the fastest-growing OTTs/CAPs markets in the world, thanks to the facilitating nature of policy and regulation. This vibrant sector must not be stifled with network usage fees. Key Points
Financialexpress
Govt issues orders to ban 22 illegal betting apps
MeitY on Sunday issued the order to block the operations of the Mahadev betting app, reddyannaofficial. in, and 20 other apps and websites. This was done on request from the ED, the government said. Key Points
Economic TimesToday’s Cache | Dangers of AI in U.S. election; AI chat apps spike; Twitter censored in Turkey
The 2024 U.S. election will be like none before them, as it is the first American presidential election to take place after the launch of ChatGPT. Key Points
The HinduApple iOS 17 update coming in June: Here’s what to expect from the latest iPhone software
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is likely to focus on updates to core system apps with the iOS 17. In ‘The MacRumors Show’ podcast, he said that there will be enhancements to Find My app with a bigger push on location. Key Points
mintApple allows sideloading apps on iPhone: What it means for users, how it will work and more
Apple is opening up the iPhone to sideloading, allowing third-party app stores, or as Apple calls it “alternate marketplaces.” This change will arrive with the iOS 17.4 update in March, but only in the 27 nations of the European Union. Key Points
Times Of IndiaApple enforces new check on apps in China as Beijing tightens oversight
Apple (AAPL.O) has started requiring new apps to show proof of a Chinese government licence before their release on its China App Store, joining local rivals years that had adopted the policy years earlier to meet tightening state regulations. Key Points
Reuters
Zepto, Blinkit to bulk up carts; no let up in Google vs Indian apps tussle
Quick-commerce platforms Blinkit and Zepto are set to expand beyond groceries, adding categories like fashion and electronics. This and more in todays ETtech Morning Dispatch. Key Points
Economic TimesZerodha's Nithin Kamath warns people of illegal predatory loan apps
Zerodha founder Nithin Kamath warns of rising cases of harassment by predatory loan apps, advises victims to file complaints at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930 Key Points
mintI've had migraines since I was a teenager. Here are 6 migraine apps I use to track — and prevent — pain.
I've had migraines since puberty, and monitoring my symptoms helps me prevent attacks. These apps help me track triggers and prevent pain. Key Points
InsiderStatus quo for Indian apps in Google row; D2C brands push offline
Google is providing an extended timeline to ten companies to pay the service fee applicable for in-app purchases made by users. According to sources, the timeline will be stretched till the time there is a concrete verdict from the Supreme Court. Key Points
Economic TimesLet’s aim for a business-friendly approach to online takedowns
The Indian government's ban on 232 digital applications under the IT Act in February 2023, which included regulated e-commerce businesses, highlights the need for the Digital India Act to reduce business uncertainty. With the ban eventually lifted, the authors suggest the DIA should introduce transparent blocking procedures, establish a public registry of all e-commerce businesses and enable self-regulation across all e-commerce industries. They argue that safe harbours for regulated activities online are necessary for India's progress in the digital economy. Key Points
mint
One railway app soon for tracking trains, ticketing
Indian Railways is developing a super app that will combine ticketing, train tracking, and other services offered through over a dozen mobile apps. The app will improve user experience by reducing the number of downloads needed for a complete bouquet of railway services. The super app will also include other apps like Rail Madad, UTS, and National Train Enquiry System. Key Points
Economic Times18 OTT apps blocked for vulgar content: Here is the complete list of apps and websites blocked today
The Union government banned 18 OTT platforms, 19 websites, 10 apps (7 on Google Play Store, 3 on Apple App Store), and 57 associated social media accounts for disseminating obscene and vulgar content. Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, stressed the responsibility of platforms to avoid promoting obscenity. The decision, made under the Information Technology Act, 2000, involved consultation with relevant government departments and domain experts. Key Points
Economic TimesParliamentary panel flags dominance of foreign-owned UPI apps
The standing committee on communications and information technology has recommended the promotion of local fintech apps. It also said that “regulation of Indian fintech apps would be more feasible” for RBI and NPCI compared to foreign entities that are present in multiple jurisdictions. Key Points
Economic Times7 ways to protect yourself from succumbing to UPI frauds
Revolutionizing digital payments in India, UPI has provided convenience and security for millions of users. Nevertheless, the increased popularity has drawn the attention of fraudsters, underscoring the importance of widespread awareness regarding the associated risks and protective measures. Key Points
mint