Delhi HC tells govt to look into new WhatsApp privacy policy

Delhi HC tells govt to look into WhatsApp privacy policy

WhatsApp's new privacy update of sharing user's data with Facebook has reached the doorsteps of Delhi High court, which sought the government's response on the modification.

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra issued notice to the Centre on a plea by two users of the most popular instant messaging service, alleging that WhatsApp, Facebook Inc and Facebook India Online Pvt Ltd's new private policy "compromises the rights of its users".

Taking note of the concern by petitioners Karmanya Singh Sareen and Shreya Sethi, the high court wished to examine the issue and asked the concerned authorities to file their reply by September 14.

"The privacy policy is in stark contrast to the Privacy Policy existing from July 7, 2012. In its first revised modification on August 25, 2016, Respondents (WhatsApp, Facebook Inc. and Facebook India Online Pvt Ltd) have introduced this policy which severely compromises the rights of its users and makes the privacy rights of users completely vulnerable," the plea alleged.

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Quit texting, video calling is the way forward

There are several mobile operators (like Airtel and Vodafone) which provide 4G services to customers in various metros and small towns of India. With the Reliance Jio 4G launch around the corner, the data strength to make video calls is going to get much better. Then there are video calls over Wi-Fi. Since most of us have a strong internet connection at office or home, we can easily video chat with family, friends and associates.

Unlike normal voice calls or SMS, video-calling apps are mostly free and enable you to talk to virtually anyone who has the same app, locally and all over the globe. These apps have become a rage, since one can see each other on screen in real time. Here is our pick of the lot that are a must-download on your smartphone, if you want to make a video call.

Reliance Jio opens MNP

Reliance Jio opens Mobile Number Portability

Reliance Jio opens Mobile Number Portability

Mukesh Ambani-led RIL's much-ambitious Jio 4G has officially been launched. The Jio services will be rolled-out for all, starting from September 5 -- under the name of Welcome Offer -- and will be free to use until December 31, 2016. Ahead of D-day, RIL has called out to incumbent telecom operators to play fair and fulfil their regulatory obligations. The company hopes that rival companies will work in consonance with Jio to achieve PM Modi's vision of a Digital India.

"Jio looks forward to co-operation and working together with the industry to achieve the vision of Digital India," the company said in a statement. "We appreciate the announcements made by the incumbent operators welcoming us to the industry and assuring that they will fulfil all their regulatory obligations. We expect the incumbent operators to fulfil their regulatory obligations in letter and spirit," the company added.

Reliance Jio v/s Airtel & others

Reliance Jio v/s Airtel & others: Jio data is cheap but not by much

Reliance Jio went official yesterday at Reliance's 42nd General Meeting in Mumbai. Mukesh Ambani took to the stage to announce Jio's 4G data plans and other tariffs. While the Jio plans have already taken the market by storm, the rival telecom operators like Airtel and Vodafone have cut down on tariffs too.

Lowest plans:

Reliance Jio: The lowest plan in Reliance Jio will cost you Rs 19. For this sum you get 100MB of 4G data along with unlimited STD and local calls, unlimited messages. The plan is valid for 1 day.

Vodafone: The Rs 12 prepaid plan by Vodafone gives users 50MB of 4G data. But unlike Jio, there are no calling or messaging benefits. 

Airtel: Airtel's lowest plan will cost you Rs 23 for 3 days. It will give you 90MB of 4G data and nothing else.

Rs 199 v/s Rs 102 v/s Rs 145:

Reliance Jio: The Rs 199 plan in Jio has a validity of 7 days. And in return it gives you 750MB of data along with 1.5GB of JioNet Wi-Fi. No limits on voice calls and messages apply on this plan too.

Vodafone: Vodafone charges Rs 102 for the 10 days plan. This will give you 300MB of data.

Airtel: The Rs 145 plan will be valid for 14 days and give users 580MB of 4G data to consume. No voice calls and messages benefit.

Monthly plans:

Reliance Jio: Jio's Rs 299 plan is valid for 21 days and comes with 2GB data along with 4GB JioNet Wi-Fi consumption.

Vodafone: The Rs 250 plan is valid for a month. Vodafone gives 1GB of 4G data and no additional benefits under this tariff.

Airtel: Same as Vodafone.

Rest of the plans above this price range are valid for a month.

Rs 499 v/s Rs 499 v/s Rs 455:

Reliance Jio: This plan offers 4GB of data valid for 28 days. It also has 8GB of JioNet WiFi usage.

Vodafone: At Rs 499, Vodafone offers 2GB of data. In addition, it also gives the users 700 minutes of voice calling and 500 SMS.

Airtel: Airtel gives 3GB of 4G data at Rs 455. This plan doesn't come with any additional benefits.

Amazon will allow sellers to advertise first and pay later

Amazon's New Strategy

This is going to be a big news that Amazon plans to allow sellers on its e commerce marketplace in the country to advertise on its portal without advance payment starting this festive season.

The advertising fee will be deducted from sales proceeds under the new system that has already been launched in the US, UK, Germany and Japan.

Amazon is also organising multiple events across the country to groom seller's for increasing sales ahead of the upcoming festive season to increase sale.

Amazon's New Strategy

Reliance Industries to Invest Rs 5,000 crore in digital Startups

Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani said his group would invest Rs 5,000 crore in Indian startups over the next five years.

The investment to be channelled through Jio Digital India Startup fund will be mostly directed at digital and internet startups to create unique solutions for India as part of the country's largest business conglomerates move to become a communication behemoth.

"We also have plans to partner with thousands of Indian entrepreneurs, whose digital ventures can bloom in the ground that Jio is preparing," Ambani said while announcing the formal launch of Jio at RIL's annual general meeting on Thursday.

"We are also working to create digital entrepreneurship hubs in key cities and towns of India. Our aim is to build a platform for young Indians who want to create digital businesses of the future," he said.

Reliance has already begin exploratory talks with the country's two biggest startups — online retailer Flipkart and ride hailing app Ola — for potential integration of their services with Reliance's mobile service Jio, four people aware of the development told ET.

Reliance, Flipkart and Ola did not reply to email queries sent by ET as of press time on Thursday.

Reliance has tied up with around 20 smartphone brands including Samsung, Micromax and LG to bundle Jio SIM cards with select handsets, offering free voice and data for three months. The cheapest 4G LTE enabled phone of Reliance's own brand Lyf is available at Rs 2,999.

"Jio is also partnering with some of the leading digital and Internet players in the world. Together with Jio, these partners are keen to showcase the full power and range of their offerings to Indian customers," Ambani said.

Ambani said the company would seek to have 100 million customers in the shortest possible time as it builds out its 4G network across the country.

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Zoom comes to Instagram

Zoom comes to Instagram after a half-decade wait.

It has taken Instagram five whole years, but it has finally delivered the most basic feature to its users: Zoom.
As of Wednesday, iOS users can zoom in on Instagram photos with a pinch of the fingers — a standard maneuver since Steve Jobs introduced the original iPhone way back in 2007.
It isn't clear why the app didn't allow users to zoom so easily before, instead forcing iPhone users to change their phone's setting to allow zoom before forcing a super awkward three-finger double-tap to get a closer look. It was like athletics for your fingers.
"Over the past six months, you’ve seen many exciting changes come to Instagram, from a new icon to longer videos and even a new way to share everyday moments with Instagram Stories," the company wrote in a statement on Instagram. "And as things change, we’re still focused on improving the core parts of Instagram."
It's been a long wait for this core improvement, and it will be a few more weeks until Android users can zoom all over town.
The new functionality will be available for zooming in on photos and videos in your feed, other people's profiles and in the Explore section.