New Delhi: Whatsapp, a popular messaging platform is a daily lifeline for many of us to stay connected. However, if you’re using an older iPhone, you should consider upgrading it. Starting May 5, 2025, the app will stop working on iPhones that aren’t running iOS 15.1 or later. So if your device can’t support the update, you won’t be able to send messages, make calls, or access your chats. It might be the right time to check your iPhone and consider an upgrade if needed. Which iPhones will lose access to WhatsApp? If you’re using one of these older models, WhatsApp will no longer work after May 5, 2025: – iPhone 5s – iPhone 6 – iPhone 6 Plus What can users do? If you want to keep using WhatsApp after May 5, you’ll need to switch to a newer iPhone. Right now, the oldest models that still support the app are the iPhone 8 and iPhone X. But keep in mind—Apple stopped updating these phones after iOS 16 in 2022, so WhatsApp might stop supporting them soon too. Upgrading to a more recent model is the safest way to stay connected. Will this Affect WhatsApp Business? Yes, the update won’t just impact regular WhatsApp users—it also applies to WhatsApp Business. This version of the app is popular among small businesses for staying in touch with customers.  Along with essential features, WhatsApp has been rolling out new privacy tools, including one that stops others from copying your messages and media. With existing options like chat lock and disappearing messages, the app already offers strong privacy—but this latest feature adds an extra layer of protection to keep your chats and photos even more secure.

New Delhi: The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) on Tuesday welcomed the government’s decision to step in and address the growing menace of spam and scam calls originating from Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has decided to take the lead on this issue, as was conveyed during a recent meeting of the Joint Committee of Regulators (JCoR). The industry sees this as a much-needed move, especially since spam and scam activities are increasingly shifting to OTT communication apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and others. While the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), along with Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), has been tightening regulations around Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC) on traditional telecom networks, similar control over OTT platforms has been missing. According to COAI, the MeitY’s involvement shows a shift in thinking, where the responsibility of regulating digital platforms will now lie with the relevant ministries, instead of unfairly placing the burden on telecom operators. The COAI said this is important because TSPs have limited control over what happens on OTT apps, even if the user is the same. COAI Director General Lt. Gen. S. P. Kochhar explained the challenge using a simple example: a telecom operator can trace a phone number to a particular city and provide legal assistance if needed. “But when an OTT app is used on a different device, it becomes harder to track, as the app and the SIM card are no longer linked after installation,” Kochhar stated. While the telecom number can only be traced to the city where the mobile is residing, there are no ways to trace the activities of the OTT Communication App which was initially issued on the mobile number, but is now running off a separate handset, while the SIM is on a different handset, he added. “This happens because the App and the SIM are not tightly bound together after the installation of the App,” Kochhar mentioned. According to the COAI, another rising threat is steganography, where harmful content is hidden inside regular files like images or documents.This makes it easier for cybercriminals to carry out fraud and attacks without being detected. The COAI stressed that strong cybersecurity measures are needed across telecom and OTT platforms. The industry body believes that a unified set of rules for all digital communication players is the only way to protect people from spam, fraud calls, and messages. “The aim should be clear — to ensure a safer digital environment for users and reduce the nuisance of spam and scam communications as much as possible,” the COAI said.

New Delhi: US space firm SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service is expected to be available in South Korea this year, following a recent revision to the Radio Waves Act, the science ministry said on Sunday.  Starlink Korea LLC applied for approval of a cross-border supply agreement from the Ministry of Science and ICT in May 2023 to provide its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet service. According to the ministry, the government amended related regulations this month concerning Elon Musk-owned Starlink’s use of local frequencies, reports Yonhap news agency. “For the approval, Starlink Korea submitted its business plans, and the Telecommunications Policy Bureau is reviewing their business feasibility,” Kim Nam-cheol, director general of the ministry’s radio policy bureau, said during a recent briefing. Regarding the specific launch timeline, Kim said the service could begin as early as June or later this year. Starlink’s British rival, OneWeb, is also exploring opportunities to offer its LEO satellite internet service in Asia’s fourth-largest economy, he added. Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency internet service worldwide through a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites. Under South Korean law, foreign companies must sign a supply agreement with a local telecommunications operator to introduce their communications network services domestically. If adopted, LEO satellite communication services will enable high-speed internet access in regions with traditionally poor connectivity, as well as on ships and aircraft, where low-speed satellite internet is currently common, the ministry said in a press release. “In particular, the maritime industry stands to benefit significantly. Crews on long-haul voyages will gain access to over-the-top (OTT) media services and video calls, marking a major improvement in welfare and communication options for seafarers,” it said. To compete with first movers, South Korea announced plans last year to launch two homegrown LEO satellites using sixth-generation (6G) communications network technology by 2030. LEO satellites, orbiting between 300 and 1,500 kilometers above Earth, can provide high-speed, low-latency communications thanks to their proximity to the planet, compared with geostationary orbit satellites. On Friday, the government designated the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), telecommunications equipment manufacturer SOLiD and Korea Aerospace Industries Co. (KAI), the nation’s sole aircraft maker, as key organizations for developing a domestic 6G-based LEO satellite communications system. “We are aiming to launch two domestically developed LEO satellites aboard the homegrown space rocket Nuri by 2030,” Kim said. The government plans to invest a total of 320 billion won (US$234 million) over six years through 2030 in the development project, anticipating the global LEO satellite internet service market will grow to 740 trillion won by 2040.

New Delhi: In recent months, the rise of fake loan apps has sparked concerns about the safety of personal data and financial security. While these apps may initially appear to offer quick and easy loans, they come with significant risks, including data theft, harassment, and even blackmail. The Indian government has issued an urgent alert to warn users about these malicious apps and provide advice on how to protect themselves. What Are Fake Loans? Fake loans are scams where fraudsters pretend to offer loans but never actually lend any money. They often lure people with promises of easy approval, low interest rates, or quick payouts. To make the scam work, they may ask for personal details like bank account information or charge an upfront fee for processing. Once the victim shares the info or pays the fee, the scammer disappears, leaving them without the loan and out of pocket. Fake loans can also damage your credit score, as they won’t be repaid. Fake Loan Apps Alert! What looks like an easy loan could be a dangerous trap! Some apps steal your data, demand unnecessary permissions and even harass you for repayments. – Swipe through to know the risks and protect yourself! #I4C #FakeLoanApp #GooglePlay pic.twitter.com/By5RCsIsdS — CyberDost I4C (@Cyberdost) April 26, 2025 How Do They Work? Fake loan apps like ProtopFin and FinScore typically lure users with promises of fast, easy loans. However, once downloaded, these apps ask for unnecessary and intrusive permissions, such as access to contacts, photos, and messages. After gaining this access, these apps often misuse your data for malicious purposes. What These Apps Do: – Link to Hostile Foreign Entities: Both ProtopFin and FinScore are suspected of being connected to hostile foreign groups, making them a significant security threat to users’ data and privacy. These apps may compromise not just your financial details but also sensitive personal information. -Steal Private Information: Upon installation, these apps may request access to your phone’s contacts, photos, and private messages. This information is then stolen and can be used for fraudulent activities, blackmail, or sold on the dark web. – Harassment and Blackmail: If you do end up using these apps and fall behind on repayments, the consequences can be severe. These apps have been known to blackmail or shame users by exposing personal information gathered during the loan process, causing emotional distress and financial damage. How to Identify if There’s a Fake Loan in Your Name: Review Your Credit Report: Request a free report from platforms like CIBIL, Experian, or Equifax to spot any unfamiliar loans or credit activity. Check Your Bank Statements: Look for any unauthorized loan-related transactions or withdrawals in your bank and loan statements. Contact the Lender Directly: If you spot an unrecognized loan, reach out to the lender or bank for detailed loan information.//

New Delhi: India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for spreading provocative and communally sensitive content, along with false and misleading narratives targeting India, its Army, and security agencies.   The decision was taken by the Government of India based on recommendations from the Ministry of Home Affairs following the tragic Pahalgam terror incident in Jammu and Kashmir. The banned channels include Dawn News, Irshad Bhatti, SAMAA TV, ARY NEWS, BOL NEWS, Raftar, The Pakistan Reference, Geo News, Samaa Sports, GNN, Uzair Cricket, Umar Cheema Exclusive, Asma Shirazi, Muneeb Farooq, SUNO News HD, and Razi Naama. These channels were found to be disseminating disinformation related to India’s national security, foreign relations, and public order. Together, these YouTube channels had a cumulative viewership of over 6.3080 crore. They were spreading false and unverified information aimed at creating panic, inciting communal disharmony, and disturbing public order within India, according to an official statement. The banned channels were posting fake news on various subjects, such as the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir, and India’s foreign relations in light of the Pahalgam terror attack. In a related move, the official X handle of the Government of Pakistan had also been withheld by India following the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 innocent civilians and injured several others. Following the deadly attack, India launched a strong diplomatic offensive, summoning Pakistan’s top diplomat in New Delhi, Saad Ahmad Warraich, and handing over a formal Persona Non Grata note for all Pakistani military attaches. The moves are part of a series of sweeping retaliatory actions by India after Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the assault a “cowardly attack on innocent civilians.” The attack, orchestrated by Pakistan-based terror outfit The Resistance Front, has triggered a sharp escalation in tensions between the two countries. In response to the attack, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), led by Prime Minister Modi, announced several stringent measures. These include the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of the Attari-Wagah border, cancellation of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, expulsion of Pakistan’s military attaches from New Delhi and a reduction in diplomatic staff at both High Commissions.

New Delhi: A total of 34 supercomputers with a combined compute capacity of 35 Petaflops (10 lakh gigabytes) have been deployed across the country under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), the government said on Monday.  These supercomputers have been deployed across various academic institutions, research organisations and R&D labs, including prominent institutions like IISc, IITs, C-DAC, and other institutions from Tier-II and Tier III cities of the country under NSM. The supercomputing systems commissioned under NSM have achieved an overall utilisation rate of over 85%, with many systems exceeding 95 per cent, demonstrating a high level of usage and efficiency in their computational capacity, according to the Ministry of Electronics and IT. The contribution of these supercomputing systems to the Research and Development (R&D) sector has been highly impactful, facilitating over 10,000 researchers, including more than 1,700 PhD scholars from over 200 academic institutions and R&D labs across the country. “These supercomputing systems have supported research in critical domains such as Drug Discovery, Disaster Management, Energy Security, Climate Modeling, Astronomical Research, Computational Chemistry, Fluid Dynamics, and Material Research,” according to IT Ministry. NSM has created opportunities for researchers from Tier II and Tier III cities to conduct research by providing access to state-of-the-art supercomputing facilities. These researchers have completed over 1 crore compute jobs and published more than 1,500 papers in leading national and international journals. Additionally, more than 22,000 individuals have been trained in HPC and AI skills. Start-ups and MSMEs are leveraging these supercomputing resources to advance their HPC-driven projects. Also, C-DAC has developed the indigenous high-speed communication network, “Trinetra,” to enhance data transfer and communication between computing nodes, strengthening India’s supercomputing capabilities. In 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated three PARAM Rudra supercomputers to the young researchers, scientists and engineers of nation facilitating advanced studies in physics, earth sciences, and cosmology. These supercomputers have been deployed in Pune, Delhi and Kolkata to facilitate pioneering scientific research, according to IT Ministry.

New Delhi: The App Store ecosystem in India facilitated Rs 44,447 crore ($5.31 billion) in developer billings and sales in 2024, a new Apple study showed on Monday. The study was conducted by Professor Viswanath Pingali from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad.  In one of its most important findings, the study showed that more than 94 per cent of that commerce accrued solely to developers and businesses of all sizes, without any commission paid to Apple. And over the last five years, the global earnings of India-based developers have tripled, underscoring the tremendous business opportunity and global reach the App Store provides, the company said in a statement. “The App Store has been an economic miracle for developers in India and all around the world, and we’re thrilled to support their work,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “This study underlines the power of India’s incredibly vibrant app economy. And we’re committed to keep investing in the success of developers of all sizes as they build apps that make an important impact and enrich people’s lives.” The study from Professor Pingali takes a closer look at the key drivers shaping the App Store ecosystem in India, including increased app usage in sectors like food delivery, travel, gaming and entertainment. In 2024 alone, App Store developers generated Rs 38,906 crores ($4.65 billion) in total billings and sales from the sale of physical goods and services, Rs 3,014 crore ($352.9 million) from in-app advertising, and Rs 2,527 crore ($302 million) from digital goods and services. Since its launch more than fifteen years ago, developers have more ways than ever to monetise their apps and build successful businesses on the App Store, resulting in a healthy and dynamic ecosystem. In 2024, developers active in India have been successful across a diverse range of app categories such as games, health and fitness, lifestyle and utilities. In 2024, close to 80 per cent of India-based developers’ App Store earnings came from users outside of the country, and 87 percent of developers were active on multiple storefronts. Many apps from India-based developers have also appeared on the most-downloaded app charts in storefronts outside of India, and apps from India-based developers were in the top 100 most-downloaded apps in 70 storefronts outside of India, said Apple. In addition to building successful global businesses on the App Store, developers continue to reach local audiences across India. In the last five years, downloads from Indian users have more than tripled, and earnings from these users have increased more than fivefold. Notably, India-based developers have also designed popular apps targeted at India’s growing quick commerce and gig economy industries. These apps provide essential on-demand services, making daily tasks more convenient for millions of users while providing workers with access to flexible job opportunities in the country, according to Apple. Small developers, in particular, have been supported by Apple’s ecosystem. The total App Store earnings of small developers increased by 74 per cent between 2021 and 2024. Initiatives like the App Store Small Business Program, designed to support small developers, provide a reduced commission rate for these developers. Apple said it is committed to helping developers across India build their app businesses.

Motorola Edge 60 Pro India Launch: Motorola is set to launch the Motorola Edge 60 Pro variant in the Indian market after introducing two sub-Rs 25,000 smartphones under the Motorola Edge 60 series. The company says that the phone will be launched on April 30 in the country. It runs on Android 15 and promises three major OS updates along with four years of security maintenance releases (SMRs). The Motorola Edge 60 Pro variant will be available for pre-order on the same day. Consumers can purchase the smartphone via Flipkart. Motorola Edge 60 Pro Price in India (Expected) The company has remained tight-lipped about the pricing of the smartphone. However, according to leaks and rumours, the phone is expected to launch at a starting price of Rs 31,999. Motorola Edge 60 Pro Specifications The smartphone features a 6.67-inch 1.5K (2712 x 1220 pixels) 10-bit pOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and an impressive peak brightness of up to 4500 nits. It supports Dual SIM (nano + nano) functionality. The phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Extreme chipset, paired with the Mali-G615 MC6 GPU for smooth performance. The smartphone is backed by a robust 6000mAh battery, the device supports 90-watt fast charging and 15-watt wireless charging. On the photography front, the smartphone is equipped with a 50MP main camera featuring the Sony LYTIA 700C sensor, ensuring detailed and vibrant shots. It is accompanied by a 50MP autofocus ultra-wide camera, allowing users to capture expansive landscapes and group photos with impressive clarity. For selfies and high-quality videos, there is a 50MP shooter at the front. The device offers water and dust resistance with IP68 and IP69 ratings and is built to military-grade durability standards (MIL-STD-810H).

Whatsapp Fraud Alert: The Ministry of Defence on Sunday issued an alert against a misleading message circulating on WhatsApp, which falsely seeks donations to a specific bank account for the modernisation of the Indian Army and for soldiers injured or killed in action. The message falsely claims that the appeal is based on a Cabinet decision and names actor Akshay Kumar as the prime supporter of the initiative. “The account details mentioned in the message are incorrect, resulting in online donations being dishonoured. Citizens are advised to stay vigilant and avoid falling victim to such fraudulent messages,” the ministry stated. The government has implemented several welfare schemes to support soldiers who are killed or disabled during active combat operations. In 2020, it established the ‘Armed Forces Battle Casualty Welfare Fund (AFBCWF)’, aimed at providing immediate financial assistance to the families of soldiers, sailors, and airmen who lose their lives or suffer grievous injuries during military operations. The Indian Army, on behalf of the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence, maintains the accounts for the fund. Contributions can be made directly to the Armed Forces Battle Casualty Welfare Fund account. Details Of Bank Accounts Are Given Below: First Account Fund Name: Armed Forces Battle Casualty Welfare Fund Bank Name: Canara Bank, South Block, Defence Headquarters, New Delhi – 110011 IFSC Code: CNRB0019055 Account No.: 90552010165915 Type of Account: Savings Second Account Fund Name: Armed Forces Battle Casualty Welfare Fund Bank Name: State Bank of India, Parliament Street, New Delhi – 110011 IFSC Code: SBIN0000691 Account No.: 40650628094 Type of Account: Savings The Defence Ministry’s statement said donations can also be made through a Demand Draft drawn in favour of AFBCWF, payable at New Delhi, which may be sent by post to the following address: Accounts Section: Adjutant General’s Branch Ceremonial & Welfare Directorate Room No. 281-B, South Block IHQ of MoD (Army), New Delhi – 110011 (Inputs From IANS)

New Delhi: Who doesn’t love free Wi-Fi, especially when it’s available at airports, coffee shops, or public spaces? While it may seem like a convenient way to stay connected, using public Wi-Fi can put your private and financial information at serious risk. The government has issued a strong warning and urged citizens to avoid using these networks for sensitive activities like financial transactions to protect their personal data. Public Wi-Fi networks often lack proper security, making them prime targets for hackers and scammers. To boost awareness about digital safety, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has issued a new reminder as part of its ‘Jaagrookta Diwas’ initiative. The advisory warns citizens against performing sensitive activities, like banking or online shopping, over public Wi-Fi networks. CERT-In explained that cybercriminals can easily intercept unprotected connections on public Wi-Fi, putting users at risk of data theft, financial loss, and even identity fraud. The government has urged people to avoid making transactions or entering personal information when connected to such networks. As part of its awareness drive, CERT-In has also shared a few important safety practices. Citizens are advised not to click on links or attachments from unknown sources, use long and strong passwords for all online accounts, and regularly back up important files to external drives. These habits can help build strong protection around personal information. The advisory further stressed that even simple activities like checking emails or logging into social media accounts on public Wi-Fi can be risky if proper precautions are not taken. Using a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) and avoiding the use of autofill options on web browsers are also recommended for extra safety. CERT-In is the national agency responsible for incident response and cybersecurity in India. It operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. CERT-In acts as the national nodal agency for responding to cybersecurity incidents, as mandated by the Information Technology Act, 2000. Its role includes collecting, analysing, and sharing information about cyber incidents, providing emergency measures, and coordinating response activities across sectors. (With IANS Inputs)