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The Latest Breaking News from WhatsApp

Instagram and WhatsApp get AI image generation tools after major Meta update

Muse Image allows billions of users to edit and create images using prompts and sketches

The Independent UK

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani Launches 'El Chisme Oficial de NYC' to Reach Spanish-Speaking New Yorkers

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani launched "El Chisme Oficial de NYC," a new official WhatsApp channel and the relaunch of City Hall's Spanish-language Instagram account, part of an effort to communicate directly with the city's millions of Spanish-speaking residents.

Latin Times

Looking Past Manus: What to Try When You Want an AI Agent That Actually Finishes the Job

Manus made a lot of people excited about AI agents. Instead of just answering a question, it could go off, browse the web, write code, and bring back something close to finished work. That's a real shift from the usual chatbot experience. But once the excitement settles, some cracks show…

inkl

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India objection to WhatsApp username switch gets Somalia backing

In a notable reaction, Somalia stands alongside India in opposing WhatsApp’s latest username feature. This initiative raises alarms about possible rises in online fraud and impersonations. Security officials are particularly apprehensive as it could obstruct their investigations into crime and terrorism. While the feature encourages user connectivity without phone numbers,…

The Economic Times

WhatsApp username row: Meta gets time till July 9 to reply to notice

However, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) subsequently issued a formal notice directing Meta to put the India rollout on hold pending a rigorous risk assessment. It also asked the company to submit a response on the same by Monday.

The Economic Times

Does it help to report poor government service in South Africa? Study finds what’s missing

Across South Africa, there are various ways for people to report issues like broken infrastructure, unreliable water supply, failing clinics and poor municipal services. The channels include ward meetings, hotlines, and digital platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook and X. Complaints are often shared publicly and sometimes gain traction.

The Conversation

WhatsApp gets more time to reply to username notice, assures no India rollout till talks end

WhatsApp has received an extension to respond to the government's concerns regarding its new username feature. Assuring authorities it won't launch the feature in India until discussions conclude, the platform was granted three extra days to submit its reply. The government had previously flagged potential increases in online fraud and…

The Economic Times

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WhatsApp stops major update over scam fears – what we know

IN FULL

The Independent UK

WhatsApp asked to pause its biggest ever update

India says new username feature could increase ‘online fraud, phishing, digital arrest scams and impersonation attacks’

The Independent UK

Accused of ‘Marxist ideology’: Inside UP Police’s Noida protest conspiracy case

Over two months after Noida’s industrial belt witnessed violent protests, the Uttar Pradesh police have now filed chargesheets in four FIRs – 163, 164, 165, and 169.

Newslaundry

India issues stern notice to Meta over Instagram ads carrying child sexual abuse material

The Indian government has issued a stern notice to Meta, demanding an explanation after reports surfaced of child sexual abuse material appearing in paid advertisements on Instagram. This intensified scrutiny targets the social media giant's content moderation and ad approval systems. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has directed officials to investigate…

The Economic Times

The launch of Commodore's social media-free privacy-first 'dumbphone' was apparently responsible for 'Our biggest week'

Digital minimalism, but you still get WhatsApp.

PC Gamer

ICYMI: The week's 7 biggest tech news stories from PlayStation killing physical games to Anthropic finally re-releasing Fable 5

As the USA turns 250, here's the week's biggest tech news stories from PlayStation, Valve, Garmin, WhatsApp and more.

TechRadar

No phone calls with wife for 13 days; she dies by suicide; Gulf engineer husband lands in jail; Supreme Court overturns his conviction for this reason

Husband worked in Oman and could not talk with late wife; Wife committed suicide by saying refusal to speak to her over the phone caused her severe mental distress; Indian Trial Court convicts him for cruelty under Section 498A and 304B for dowry death and sentences 3 years jail with…

The Economic Times

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The Economic Times

ETtech Explainer: Why Telegram and Signal are under the government's scanner over usernames

India's scrutiny of username-based messaging has widened from WhatsApp to Telegram and Signal over concerns around fraud, impersonation and user anonymity.

The Economic Times

Meta team meets MeitY officials over WhatsApp usernames feature, to submit reply within timeline: Sources

Meta officials met with India's IT Ministry following a government notice regarding WhatsApp's proposed "usernames" feature. Concerns over impersonation and misuse have prompted the government to seek a detailed explanation and halt the rollout until consultations conclude. Meta will submit its response within the stipulated three-day deadline, with authorities examining…

The Economic Times

Ashwini Vaishnaw directs MeitY to summon Meta regarding Instagram ads promoting child sexual abuse material

India's IT Ministry has summoned Meta over allegations that Instagram ads promoted child sexual abuse material. Officials are also concerned about WhatsApp's usernames feature being used for phishing and scams, prompting a demand for a pause on the feature's rollout. Meanwhile, the government is also investigating a cyberattack at Tata…

The Economic Times

Govt investigating reported Tata Electronics data leak: MeitY Secretary

Speaking on the sidelines of a CII Conference, Krishnan responded to an ANI question on government's concerns over WhatsApp, Signal and Telegram username feature, "The kind of encouragement that it provides or the facility it provides for committing more cybercrimes, which is a very serious issue... we have directed WhatsApp…

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International Business Times UK

Harry and Meghan's WhatsApp Strategy Backfires as 'Misled' Journalists Forced to Retract UK Visit Stories

A private WhatsApp briefing reportedly led several royal correspondents to publish details that were later revised after the Sussexes' UK plans changed.

The Economic Times

India issues notice to Telegram, Signal on concerns over usernames, source says

India has issued notices to messaging apps Telegram and Signal, demanding explanations for safeguards on features allowing anonymous messaging. This move follows a similar directive to WhatsApp regarding its planned username feature. The government cites concerns over increased online fraud and impersonation. Digital rights groups have criticized the notices, particularly…

The Economic Times

Username row: After WhatsApp, IT Ministry sends notice to Telegram, Signal

Sources said that in the notice to Telegram, the government has asked the platform why it should be allowed to retain the username feature. On Wednesday, the Centre issued a notice to Meta over the username feature on WhatsApp, citing concerns that it could materially increase online fraud, phishing, digital…

The Guardian - AU

I’d been craving the immediacy of a phone call. So I scrolled through my contacts and started dialling

While I cherish voice notes and tolerate WhatsApp, I missed the spontaneity and unfiltered rawness of a proper phone call

International Business Times UK

India Doesn't Want Whatsapp To Become More Like Telegram: Meta Told To Pause Rollout for 850M Users

The Indian government has paused WhatsApp's new username feature rollout, citing privacy concerns, following Telegram's ban due to exam paper leaks. The move raises questions about digital privacy and control.

The Times of India

Indian student denied entry to the US because of a WhatsApp group? A viral post asks international students to be alert

A viral post urged international students to execise caution before they join any WhatsApp grpup, citing a case of an Indian student being denied entry to the US over WhatsApp activity. The post did not detail what exactly happened but claimed that a student who was returning to the US…

MyLifeXP

Why India Is Worried About WhatsApp's New Username Feature

For years, your phone number has been your identity on WhatsApp. It helped friends find you, businesses contact you, and users verify who they were talking to. But that could soon change. WhatsApp is preparing to introduce usernames, allowing people to connect without sharing their mobile numbers. While the feature…

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