Tech & Internet
Govt proposes online portal to streamline certification, access to assistive technology
The Indian government has proposed new rules to improve access to assistive devices for people with disabilities. A planned online portal will manage certification, purchase, and complaints. The draft rules set standards for device types—essential, specialised, and emerging—ensuring safety, quality, and better integration with health and social welfare schemes.
Indonesia lifts TikTok licence suspension as app shares data
Indonesia has lifted its suspension of TikTok's local operating licence after the social media platform shared data requested by the government about recent protests, the ministry of communication and digital affairs said. "Based on the fulfillment of those obligations, the communication and digital affairs ministry... reactivated TikTok's status as a registered electronic system operator," he said.
Will Arattai be India’s answer to WhatsApp?
India's Arattai, a WhatsApp rival, added two million users but faces skepticism due to strong network effects. Experts believe only disruptive events or open, interoperable platforms, like the UPI model proposed by Arattai's founder, can challenge incumbents. This strategy aims to foster an ecosystem rather than a closed monopoly.
CBI conducts searches in HPZ cryptocurrency token fraud case
On October 3, coordinated search operations were conducted at seven locations across Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, leading to the recovery of incriminating digital evidence and financial records.
In push for Swadeshi digital, education ministry mandates Zoho Office Suite for official documents
Endorsement by the Union ministry and integration by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), the tech partner of the Indian government, signal Zoho’s rise as a Swadeshi alternative to global tech giants.
India, UK quantum computing tie-up in focus ahead of UK PM's Mumbai visit
The project builds on quantum as a key pillar of the India-UK Technology Security Initiative (TSI), with a mission to cultivate healthier soil microbes and unlock new strategies for protecting crops in arid and climate-vulnerable regions.
Lawsuit seeks to stop Trump's $100,000 fee for H-1B visas
The lawsuit, filed in US District Court in San Francisco, said the H-1B program is a critical pathway to hiring healthcare workers and educators. It drives innovation and economic growth in the US, and allows employers to fill jobs in specialised fields, the lawsuit said.
Newsom signs bill giving 800,000 Uber and Lyft drivers in California the right to unionise
Supporters said the new law will open a path for the largest expansion of private sector collective bargaining rights in the state's history. The legislation is a significant compromise in the yearslong battle between labor unions and tech companies.
Apple, Google block apps that crowdsource ICE sightings; some warn of chilling effects
US Attorney General Pam Bondi said such tracking puts Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers at risk. But users and developers of the apps say it's their First Amendment right to capture what ICE is doing in their neighborhoods - and maintain that most users turn to these platforms in an effort to protect their own safety as President Donald Trump steps up aggressive immigration enforcement across the country.
Industry welcomes six-month window to refund real-money game deposits
MeitY's draft online gaming rules propose a 180-day transition period for companies and payment partners to refund users for real-money games before their ban. This window eases potential criminal liability for firms, though legal experts caution about users missing the deadline. The government aims for zero tolerance after this practical compliance period.
