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Unicorn to $3 Billion in Less Than A Year: Zepto Aims for Top Spot with Bold Expansion Strategy

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Zepto Fundraising

Quick commerce startups in India are currently engaged in a fierce battle for dominance as they expand their foothold into the ever-competitive e-commerce landscape. Interestingly, foreign investments in these startups are significantly contributing to their growth. Among these contenders, Zepto, one of the fastest-growing players, is reportedly in talks to raise a minimum of $300 million from global investors. But what’s particularly noteworthy is the valuation of Zepto in this fundraising round.

In less than 10 months, Zepto, a three-year-old Mumbai-based startup, aims to seek funds at a valuation ranging between $2.5 to $3 billion. This marks a whopping 78.6% increase from its previous valuation of just $1.4 billion in August 2023, when it achieved unicorn status. This development is nothing but a testament to the pivotal role of foreign investment in propelling the expansion and success of promising startups, solidifying Zepto’s position as a formidable contender in the fast-evolving commerce market.

Now let’s understand how Zepto and other quick commerce companies are winning the trust of investors!

Zepto’s Ambitious Expansion Strategy

Strategic Financial Goals: Zepto is reportedly aiming to achieve positive EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) by September this year, showcasing its commitment to robust financial planning and operational efficiency. This goal is underpinned by its impressive annualized gross sales run-rate of $1.2 billion. It is important to note that Zepto’s revenue from operations skyrocketed 1335.5% YoY from Rs 141 crore in FY22 to Rs 2,024 crore in FY23.

Operational Excellence: Zepto demonstrates operational excellence through its extensive network of around 340 dark stores, with over 200 already achieving EBITDA positivity. Aadit Palicha, CEO of Zepto, highlights that mature stores currently contribute 6-7% of EBITDA, with the potential to increase up to 13-14%. This will enable these dark stores to generate their own cash, illustrating Zepto’s efficiency and self-sustainability in its operations.

Bold Expansion: Swiggy’s Instamart and Zomato’s Blinkit currently dominate India’s quick commerce market. With the forthcoming entry of Walmart-owned Flipkart into the quick commerce sector, Zepto acknowledges the criticality of maintaining a competitive edge. The company has pursued aggressive expansion strategies, notably increasing investments in employee growth, marketing, advertising, and other key activities. Zepto’s total expenses increased a whopping 528.5% YoY from Rs 533 crore in FY22 to Rs 3,350 crore in FY23, and it is expected to grow more this year. This proactive approach underscores Zepto’s commitment to solidifying its position amidst intensifying market competition and seizing emerging opportunities for growth and market dominance.

“We closed a large round just a few months ago and we are on the verge of hitting Ebitda positive, so strong execution is the priority right now, not raising capital,” Aadit Palicha, cofounder and CEO of Zepto said.

A Battle for Market Dominance

Zepto’s biggest rival, Zomato’s Blinkit, has also been expanding by multiple folds. CEO Deepinder Goyal even believes that Blinkit has the potential to surpass Zomato’s food delivery business. As a dominant player in major cities, Blinkit is diversifying its stock-keeping units (SKUs) into fashion, jewellery, toys, beauty, and electronics.

Zomato’s substantial investment of approximately $240 million in Blinkit last year has propelled its Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) to surpass $1 billion in the first nine months of FY24. With a vast network of over 450 dark stores spread across 25 cities, Blinkit solidifies its position as a market leader.

In contrast, Swiggy Instamart has earmarked a $700 million investment and operates over 500 dark stores, showcasing its own aggressive expansion strategy.

Meesho, another e-commerce player, is also on the brink of securing a substantial $300 million investment from a group of investors. Notably, this group includes Tiger Global and SoftBank, two well-known technology investment firms with global influence. Their decision to invest in Meesho is significant because it marks their return to the Indian market after an absence of approximately 18 months.

As Indian startups in India’s quick commerce sector gear up for expansion, the significance of foreign investments shaping the sector’s trajectory cannot be overstated. With rapid advancements and strategic initiatives, the battle for dominance in India’s e-commerce arena is only set to intensify in the coming months.

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Rise of Online Scams Targeting Indians: Over 5,000 Are Trapped in Foreign Job Scam

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Dazeinfo
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Online Scams by Indians

As technology adoption continues to surge, so does the prevalence of cyber scams. In a disturbing trend, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting unsuspecting Indians under the guise of lucrative job offers. More than 5,000 Indian citizens in Cambodia, a South Asian country, are allegedly being forced to engage in online scams targeting their fellow countrymen. The fraudsters behind these schemes have managed to swindle victims out of a significant amount, estimated to be at least Rs 500 crore, in the last six months alone.

What adds another layer of complexity to this deceitful scenario is the revelation that Indians held captive in Cambodia are forced to impersonate law enforcement officials to entrap more Indians. By falsely claiming to have discovered suspicious items in the packages sent by these people, they exploit the trust and fear of the victims to extort money.

Collaborative Rescue Efforts

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Government of India, has taken swift action, working closely with Cambodian authorities to rescue and repatriate victims. To date, approximately 250 Indians have been rescued and returned home, shedding light on the scale of this cyber slavery epidemic.

The cyber fraud case was brought to public attention after the Rourkela Police in Odisha uncovered a syndicate on December 30, 2023. This operation led to the arrest of eight people from various parts of India, suspected of facilitating trips to Cambodia for illicit purposes.

The Rourkela Police have gathered prima facie evidence against multiple individuals involved in the scam, leading them to issue Look Out Circulars against 16 people. Shedding light on the operation, an officer disclosed that it began with a complaint filed by a senior Central government official who was defrauded of approximately Rs 70 lakh.

Online Scams Targeting Indians: Victim Testimony

Stephen, one of the rescued men, recounted his experience to The Indian Express. He explained he and another guy named Babu Rao from Andhra were offered jobs in Cambodia by an agent in Mangaluru. When at the immigration, the agent mentioned they would be travelling on tourist visas, Stephen became suspicious. Upon arriving in Cambodia, they were taken to an office where they underwent interviews and skills tests, such as typing speed assessments.

After passing all the tests, Stephen realised that the job involved searching for Facebook profiles to identify potential targets for scams. He noted that the team consisted of Chinese people, with a Malaysian translator facilitating communication in English.

Regarding their daily routine, Stephen revealed that they were mandated to create fake social media accounts using photos of women sourced from different platforms. They were specifically instructed to be cautious in selecting these photos, ensuring they did not raise suspicion. Surprisingly, failure to meet their targets resulted in punishments such as withholding food or denying access to their rooms. Eventually, after enduring these circumstances for a month and a half, Stephen contacted his family for help, and they reached out to local politicians to facilitate communication with the embassy for their rescue.

Addressing Root Causes

The alarming rise of cybercrimes targeting young Indians is largely attributed to the high youth unemployment rate in India compared to other developed nations. This disparity is particularly pronounced among educated individuals, with the highest rates observed among those holding graduate degrees or higher, according to the latest “India Employment Report 2024” report.

In 2022, the unemployment rate among Indian youth with secondary education or higher stood at 18.4%, which was six times higher than the rate for individuals lacking basic literacy skills, recorded at 3.4%. What’s more surprising is that the unemployment rate among graduates soared to 29.1%, making it nine times greater than the rate among those lacking basic literacy skills.

Avaran Abraham, Second Secretary (Consular and Diaspora), revelaed that they receive an average of four to five complaints regularly from various parts of Cambodia. Upon receiving these complaints, they quickly notify the local police and provide assistance to affected Indians on how to reach the embassy.

However, upon returning to India, many of these rescued Indian victims do not file FIRs (First Information Reports) with the police. This poses a challenge, as without FIRs, Indian authorities cannot pursue legal action against the agents or companies involved in fraudulent activities.

To address this concerning trend, the government must raise awareness among jobseekers and educate them about the dangers of falling into such traps. It is crucial to provide guidance on how to identify and avoid fraudulent job schemes and empower individuals with knowledge on how to take legal action against deceptive agencies and companies.

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OpenAI Voice Engine: AI Makes Scammers Sound Too Good to Be True

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Dazeinfo
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OpenAI Voice Engine

In the last 18 months, OpenAI has been at the forefront of innovation by introducing three of the most advanced AI technology tools to the world. These tools are not only the first of their kind in history but also hold tremendous potential for people across diverse industries and fields – HOWEVER, only when they’re in the hands of the right people.

In a recent development, OpenAI unveiled a Voice Engine, a cutting-edge technology capable of generating natural-sounding speech closely resembling the original speaker using just text input and a brief 15-second audio sample.

In a recent press release, OpenAI revealed that they initially developed Voice Engine technology in late 2022, utilizing it to power the preset voices featured in their text-to-speech API, as well as in products like ChatGPT Voice and Read Aloud.

However, despite its capabilities, OpenAI is proceeding cautiously with a broader release of this new technology due to concerns regarding the potential misuse of synthetic voices.

“We hope to start a dialogue on the responsible deployment of synthetic voices, and how society can adapt to these new capabilities. Based on these conversations and the results of these small scale tests, we will make a more informed decision about whether and how to deploy this technology at scale,” says OpenAI in a press release.

Applications of Voice Engine Across Industries

In 2023, OpenAI initiated private tests with a select group of trusted partners to explore the capabilities of Voice Engine. The results have been highly promising, revealing a range of potential applications for this advanced technology.

Reading Assistance: One notable application is in education, where Age of Learning, an edtech company, has employed Voice Engine to generate pre-scripted voice-over content and to develop personalized responses in real time. By providing customized interactions specifically designed for non-readers and children through natural-sounding voices, Voice Engine has the potential to revolutionize educational content delivery.

Content Translation: Similarly, HeyGen, an AI visual storytelling platform, is leveraging the new Voice Engine AI tool for content translation purposes. By translating videos and podcasts into multiple languages while preserving the original accents of speakers, HeyGen can connect with a global audience. For instance, generating English with an audio sample from a French speaker would result in speech with a French accent, thereby preserving authenticity and enriching audience engagement.

Community Health Services: In the healthcare sector, Dimagi, a provider of crucial healthcare services like counselling for breastfeeding mothers, has integrated OpenAI’s Voice Engine to assist community health workers in remote regions. By providing interactive feedback in each worker’s primary language, including Swahili or more informal languages like Sheng, Voice Engine improves skill development and service delivery, especially in underserved communities.

Support for Non-Verbal Individuals: For individuals with communication challenges, Livox, an AI app designed to assist people with disabilities in communicating, has also integrated the Voice Engine model by OpenAI. The app users now have the flexibility to select speech that accurately reflects their identity. For those who speak multiple languages, the app ensures consistency in voice across each language.

What’s particularly intriguing is that the integration of OpenAI’s Voice Engine is not only helping in language transition but also facilitating voice restoration for patients dealing with sudden or degenerative speech conditions.

The Norman Prince Neurosciences Institute at Lifespan is exploring the uses of AI in clinical contexts. They’ve initiated a program offering Voice Engine to individuals with speech impairment caused by oncologic or neurologic factors.

Doctors Fatima Mirza, Rohaid Ali, and Konstantina Svokos successfully restored the voice of a young patient who lost her fluent speech due to a vascular brain tumor. This remarkable achievement was made possible with the use of a short audio sample from a video recorded for a school project.

In a Nutshell

The advancement of OpenAI’s Voice Engine represents a significant leap forward in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, offering diverse applications across various sectors. Even though the potential benefits are vast, it’s important to navigate its deployment responsibly, considering ethical implications and potential misuse by scammers and fraudsters.

Imagine receiving a phone call purportedly from your boss or family member, urgently demanding a wire transfer of funds. The voice on the other end sounds identical, conveying a sense of urgency and authenticity that leaves little or no room for doubt. In such scenarios, victims could easily fall prey to fraudulent schemes, resulting in significant financial loss and emotional distress.

Regulatory bodies must play a crucial role in establishing guidelines and safeguards to prevent misuse and protect the privacy and security of individuals. It would be interesting to see how OpenAI’s rivals, such as Google, xAI (owned by Elon Musk), and other companies, continue to innovate in this space. As competition drives further development, we can anticipate even more sophisticated AI solutions emerging in the future.

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Guide on How to Write a Winning Coursework for College?

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write coursework in college

The dream of all students is to be champions in every field of their life. College students want to be popular among peers, have many friends, and have high grades at the same time. While we cannot help you with the first, the second one can be easily controlled thanks to our advice and the help of professional writers. 

When learning at college, you can receive help not only with the homework but also with the coursework writing & editing you receive during the course. However, today we will focus on coursework and will tell you where you can get help with it. Additionally, we will give you some tips which may be valuable to prepare to write the coursework.

What is a College Coursework

College coursework is the final paper students write at the end of the year. Coursework can be of different types depending on the field you study for instance economics, nursing, finances, or businesses. Therefore, your professors may be creative regarding the type of assignment they may give you at the end of the course. Anyway, no matter when and what you study, coursework has one goal — to summarize all you have been learning during the course and how you can apply your knowledge in practice, namely when solving some problems. Your coursework can be of different types:

  • Research paper
  • Essay
  • Problem-solving
  • Case study
  • Lab report
  • PowerPoint presentation
  • Pamphlet or brochure

However, all the types of coursework have something in common — you need to spend a lot of time and energy to do them.

College coursework should be perfect because it will bring you the most points, which are gathered at the end of the course. It means that the paper should be perfectly structured, and formatted and should not contain any mistakes. That is why you should use all your writing skills to polish the coursework assignment and submit it in its perfect form.

Tips for Coursework Writing

We are sure that your main goal when you read this article is to find out how to make your coursework perfect. Hence, we will share some old but gold tricks, which would be your true friend during writing:

  • Understand the purpose: this advice may seem evident, however, students often fail because they have not understood the assignment correctly. Above all, you should understand what the objective of the coursework assignment is and why your professor assigned it. By clearly embracing the meaning, you will be able to write what is expected of you.
  • Be organized: organization is needed in all aspects of life, not only for learning but also for writing specific assignments. When you work on your coursework you definitely need to stick to the structure, which should probably compromise the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. However, the main trick is to look at your rubric and follow it.
  • Be creative: originality is the main thing that is required by professors when you write such important tasks as coursework. You can simply be original if you apply your creative skills and use your brains to stand out. Additionally, it serves two purposes: it will make you sound unique and will prevent you from being punished for plagiarism because your paper will not likely be plagiarized if you write on your own.
  • Be careful: you need to be careful when you work barefoot because you risk hurting your feet. It is evident and can’t be disputed. In the academic world, this truth applies to editing and proofreading, you simply can not avoid them. When completing three steps: recognizing objectives, following the structure, and providing unique ideas, it is time to look it over a few times again. You will be surprised how many mistakes could have spoiled your paper and result in bad mistakes.

You can stick to all these tips and be sure that no mistake will sneak out of your sight. Additionally, your paper will not be plagiarized and will contain unique ideas. Sounds perfect, right? 

Yet, if you are not sure you can handle it on your own, we have a final tip for you — use online coursework help services. If you know little facts about such kind of help, we will assist you.

Online Help with College Coursework

If you are tired of the tons of homework you should do and you don’t feel like writing your dissertation, it is time to use online coursework help. We will provide you with quick facts to help you understand why this is a good choice for you:

  1. The coursework helpers are highly-qualified professionals who are well-versed in writing coursework.
  2. They have advanced degrees and qualifications in addition to perfect writing skills
  3. They stick to the structure, formatting guidelines, and instructions, which ensures that students receive perfect coursework
  4. The writers write with their own skills, never copy and paste; never use AI or recycle works written for other students
  5. They allow students to ask for free revision and correct the paper for free when needed

Based on these facts, you can superficially understand what awaits you if you use the specialized coursework writing services. Most importantly, your professor will be highly satisfied with your work and you will receive the highest grade.

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Amazon Makes Historic Bet on AI: $4 Billion Fuels Anthropic’s Generative Engine

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Amazon investment in Anthropic

AI investments have skyrocketed in the last three years, with tech giants placing their bets on the transformative power of generative artificial intelligence (AI). The most recent milestone in this trend is Amazon‘s $4 billion investment in Anthropic.

With an initial investment of $1.25 billion in September 2023, Amazon has now doubled down on its commitment to Anthropic by injecting an additional $2.75 billion, resulting in a total investment of $4 billion. This substantial financial backing has captured widespread attention, directing all eyes towards the future of AI and the potential benefits it holds for developers and, ultimately, customers worldwide.

Amazon Investment in Anthropic: A Win-Win Alliance

Founded in 2021 by former members of OpenAI, Anthropic is a promising US-based AI startup. Since its inception, the company has raised significant funds from biggies like Google, Spark Capital and Alameda Research. With a $4 billion investment in Anthropic, Amazon has acquired a minority stake in the company.

As a part of the deal, Anthropic has chosen AWS (Amazon Web Services) as its primary cloud provider, leveraging AWS Trainium and Inferentia chips for training and deploying its future foundation models. This strategic decision ensures optimized performance and efficiency in handling AI workloads.

Anthropic’s commitment extends beyond its own operations, aiming to democratize access to its AI technology. By making its models available to millions of developers worldwide, Anthropic opens doors for widespread innovation and collaboration in AI development.

Furthermore, Anthropic is enhancing the value proposition for AWS customers by offering early access to exclusive features through Amazon Bedrock. This includes the ability to customize models using proprietary data and fine-tuning capabilities, empowering AWS users to tailor AI solutions to their specific needs and gain a competitive edge in their respective industries.

The collaboration between Amazon and Anthropic marks just the beginning of their efforts to deliver cutting-edge generative artificial intelligence (generative AI) technologies to customers worldwide.

“We have a notable history with Anthropic, together helping organizations of all sizes around the world to deploy advanced generative artificial intelligence applications across their organizations,” said Dr. Swami Sivasubramanian, vice president of Data and AI at AWS.

Organizations of all sizes, spanning various industries worldwide, have already embraced Amazon Bedrock as their platform of choice for developing generative AI applications powered by Anthropic’s Claude AI. Among these adopters are leading names such as ADP, Amdocs, Bridgewater Associates, Broadridge, CelcomDigi, Cloudera, Delta Air Lines, Genesys, GoDaddy, Intuit, KT, LivTech, Lonely Planet, Parsyl, Perplexity AI, Pfizer, Ricoh USA, Rocket Companies, Siemens, and more.

In an effort to expedite the adoption of advanced generative AI technologies, AWS, Anthropic, and Accenture have recently teamed up to assist organizations, particularly those operating in highly regulated sectors such as healthcare, public sector, banking, and insurance. The collaboration focuses on responsibly adopting and scaling generative AI solutions. Through this joint initiative, participating organizations will benefit from Anthropic’s best-in-class models and gain access to a comprehensive suite of capabilities exclusively offered through Amazon Bedrock.

Competition in AI Heating Up

In November 2023, news surfaced that Google is in discussions to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in Character.AI, a rapidly growing startup specializing in artificial intelligence chatbots. The search engine giant is also in negotiations to pour about $4 million into Corover.ai, an Indian startup specializing in conversational artificial intelligence.

Another tech giant, Microsoft, has recently unveiled a multi-year partnership with Mistral, a Paris-based AI startup. This collaboration involves integrating Mistral’s latest flagship large language model, Mistral Large, into Azure, Microsoft’s cloud computing and application development platform. This strategic move reflects Microsoft’s endeavour to diversify its partnerships with AI companies beyond its substantial investments in OpenAI, which have exceeded $13 billion.

As the competition in the generative AI landscape intensifies, major players like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and other tech giants are leaving no stone unturned to pour their billions into promising startups ps that have the potential to redefine the future of AI. It is important to note that Amazon’s historic $4 billion investment in Anthropic stands out as the largest external investment in its three-decade history, reflecting its ambition to spearhead the AI competition.

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From Gujia to Pichkaris: Indian Festivals are Shaping the Future of Quick Commerce

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Dazeinfo
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Food and grocery orders during Holi

India is a land of festivals, and these festivals typically drive huge demand for food, groceries and various other products ordered through e-commerce platforms. Interestingly, Holi, this year’s first biggest festival celebrated on Monday, 25 March 2024, triggered a record surge in orders across prominent quick-commerce platforms like Zomato‘s Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart. The spike in orders was particularly notable for Holi essentials such as colours (Gulaal), sweets, playful Pichkaris, flowers and food items.

Moreover, there was significant demand for white T-shirts, a staple for playing Holi, and coconut oil among consumers.

Zomato’s Blinkit typically processes approximately 600,000 orders on a standard business day. On the other hand, Swiggy Instamart and Zepto handle around 550,000 and 500,000 orders daily, respectively.

However, on the day of Holi, Swiggy Instamart was anticipated to exceed 700,000 orders in a single day, marking a record high, as reported by insiders. Similarly, Zepto was expected to surpass 600,000 orders on this significant occasion, representing a noteworthy milestone, according to information provided by a spokesperson.

Order Suge During Holi: Insights from Industry Leaders

Albinder Dhindsa, the co-founder and CEO of Blinkit, disclosed that the platform achieved its highest Order Volume per Minute (OPM) on the day before Holi. On the X platform, he mentioned that they are on course to surpass their all-time high order record from Valentine’s Day this year, although specifics were not provided.

Phani Kishan Addepalli, the cofounder of Swiggy and head of Instamart, revealed that the sales of flowers on Instamart had quintupled compared to Holi last year, without divulging exact figures.

On the X platform, Kishan Addepalli revealed that a customer from Gurugram ordered Holi essentials worth ₹5,202, which included water guns, Pichkaris, and Gulaal.

Kishan Addepalli also mentioned that nearly every Swiggy Instamart order placed on Holi day included a packet of Gulaal. He further added that in Bangalore, one in every seven orders and in Mumbai, one in every five orders included a Pichkaris. What’s more interesting is that Gulaal orders began streaming in as early as 6 am, reaching a peak of 444 Gulals per minute observed on the platform until 10 am.

Aadit Palicha, Zepto’s co-founder and CEO, highlighted on the X platform that the platform witnessed purchases of items such as white T-shirts during Holi, showcasing the growing recognition of Zepto’s versatility beyond daily grocery needs. Palicha also shared a screenshot demonstrating a surge in sales of juices and mixers on March 25 as customers engaged in house parties, expressing surprise at these ongoing sales trends.

Indian festival days are increasingly becoming lucrative opportunities for quick commerce firms, as they continually set new order records. For instance, on Valentine’s Day, February 14, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart, and Zomato-owned Blinkit each achieved their highest-ever single-day sales, surpassing the peaks reached on New Year’s Eve. This trend is prompting quick commerce firms to expand their product offerings to rival those of e-commerce giants like Flipkart and Amazon. From fashion and beauty to electronics, toys, and home and kitchen essentials, these companies are catering to a broader spectrum of consumer demands.

Surge In Food Orders on Holi

In addition to Holi-related items, Indians also turn to online food delivery platforms like Swiggy and Zomato for their culinary delights.

Rohit Kapoor, the CEO of Swiggy’s food marketplace, shared on X platform the surge in orders for traditional treats like Gujia and Thandai. Kapoor further highlighted a notable instance where a user from Lucknow spent a whopping Rs 28,830 on Gujiyas ordered from Swiggy for their Holi celebrations, expressing his envy for such an epic Holi party.

India is the fastest-growing market for e-commerce, and there is a big window of opportunity for established and emerging players to capture the attention of customers in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. The demand for food, groceries, and assorted items remains consistently high across the country. Due to increased purchasing power, people are not hesitant to spend thousands or lakhs, especially during festive seasons.

With the continued growth and dominance of key players like Swiggy, Zomato and Zepto, the future of online food and grocery delivery in India appears highly promising, offering even greater convenience and choice to consumers nationwide. What did you order from these online food and grocery delivery platforms during Holi? Share your festive shopping experience with us!

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WhatsApp’s Upcoming AI Features are Game Changers: Redefining User Experience

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WhatsApp Meta AI

In the competitive landscape of technological advancement, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into existing offerings has become a top priority for companies. Meta, under the leadership of Mark Zuckerberg, is no exception to this trend. WhatsApp, in particular, is on the verge of a significant transformation in user interaction with the seamless integration of Meta AI directly into its search bar.

The forthcoming feature in WhatsApp, unveiled in the latest Android WhatsApp beta update (version 2.23.25.15) by WABetaInfo, represents a pragmatic approach to optimizing user experience.

WhatsApp AI Features: Enhancing User Experience

With Meta AI integrated into the WhatsApp search bar, users will be able to effortlessly ask queries through prompts within the search interface, easing them into interactions with Meta AI. This integration not only saves time but also enhances convenience by facilitating swift access to AI-powered assistance.

Moreover, WhatsApp’s decision to provide users with greater control over the visibility of the Meta AI shortcut within the top app bar reflects a commitment to user-centric design and customization. This feature empowers users to tailor their app interface according to their preferences, further enhancing the overall user experience.

Another significant AI feature on the horizon for WhatsApp is image editing, a much needed for teens and young adults who love capturing and sharing pictures.

The recent WhatsApp beta update for Android, version 2.24.7.13, has unveiled code indicative of an upcoming AI-powered image editor. This suggests that WhatsApp is actively developing an innovative tool to empower users with advanced image editing capabilities. With this feature, users may soon have the ability to swiftly modify various aspects of their images, including background adjustments, restyling, and ‘expansion’, all facilitated by AI technology.

It’s important to note that both these AI features on WhatsApp are still in the developmental phase, meaning they are not yet available for testing by users, even after updating to the latest version of the app. However, it’s anticipated that these features will undergo further refinement and improvement before being rolled out to testers on the beta channel. Eventually, they are expected to be made available to all users, including those on iOS, ensuring feature parity across both mobile platforms.

Competitive Landscape: Meta vs. X

In September 2023, Meta unveiled Meta AI, a cutting-edge assistant designed for human-like interaction. Initially launched in select countries, Meta AI is accessible on WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram and will soon expand to Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and Quest 3. This AI assistant is driven by a proprietary model incorporating advancements from Llama 2 and Meta’s latest large language model (LLM) research.

Just like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Meta AI provides users with real-time information, leveraging Meta’s search partnership with Microsoft’s Bing. Additionally, it provides a feature for generating images, further enriching its functionality and user experience.

In November 2023, Elon Musk also revealed that xAI‘s LLM model, named Grok, will soon be integrated into the X platform. Musk emphasized Grok’s significant advantage of having real-time access to information via the X platform, which sets it apart from other AI models.

It will be interesting to see how Meta’s Family of Apps – Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram – with a combined user base of around 3.98 billion, will compete with X’s platform, boasting 550 million users, following the integration of AI capabilities into their respective social media platforms.

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India’s Unicorn Startups on a Hiring Spree: 25,000 New Faces Join the Workforce Despite Challenges

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Hiring in startups

The Indian startup ecosystem continues to exhibit a robust appetite for skilled talent, particularly evident in unicorn startups valued at over $1 billion. In the past year alone, India’s top 15 unicorns have let go of their 33,000 underperforming employees while welcoming an impressive 58,000 new hires, resulting in a remarkable net headcount growth of 25,000.

Among these top 15 unicorns are BigBasket, Delhivery, Flipkart, IndiaMART, Meesho, Ola, PhonePe, Swiggy, Udaan, Zoho, and Zomato. Their collective headcount currently stands at 255,000, underlining the substantial workforce employed within the ecosystem.

The surge in new employees in India’s startup unicorns is particularly noteworthy given the backdrop of a prolonged funding winter and other operational challenges. However, despite these obstacles, unicorn startups remain steadfast in their aggressive hiring strategies to drive their growth trajectories forward. Some of these startups have already made their public debut in 2022 and 2023, while others are currently planning to launch their initial public offerings (IPOs) this year.

Talent Movement Within the Startup Ecosystem

The data, curated for The Economic Times by specialist staffing firm Xpheno, sheds light on a noteworthy trend in talent retention in the Indian startup ecosystem over the past 12 months. Interestingly, the analysis identified 27 companies as the top employers of talent who had left their previous jobs within the same industry or sector.

What’s particularly striking is that among these 27 top employers, 18 were startups, accounting for a substantial 75% of the talent absorptions. Even more intriguing is the fact that 8 out of these 18 startups belonged to the esteemed group of top 15 unicorns. This indicates that there was a substantial lateral exchange of talent within this elite group of unicorns.

In other words, employees leaving one startup or unicorn often found employment opportunities within another startup or unicorn, showcasing a dynamic movement of talent within the top echelons of the Indian startup ecosystem.

On the other hand, the remaining nine companies that absorbed talent in the last 12 months were classified as large and established enterprises, representing 25% of the attrited talent.

“Within the 100 plus unicorns in India, broadly 50% are doing really well and these top ones still remain attractive talent destinations,” said Amit Nawka, partner, deals and startups at PwC.

Opportunities for CXO Recruitment

Amit Nawka further emphasizes that many top-level professionals working in startups often find it challenging to adapt to the cultural norms of traditional sector companies. As a result, a significant number of senior startup executives prefer to remain within the startup ecosystem.

One notable example is Abhishek Arun, who previously served as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Paytm Payments Bank. Arun has now transitioned to M2P Fintech, where he is the President of platform Strategy & Commercialization.

Similarly, Cherian Thomas, formerly the Senior Vice President for international business at Byju’s, has ascended to the position of CEO at Impending Inc., providing another compelling illustration of this trend.

Therefore, there is a great opportunity for all startups and unicorns to attract top-level CXO candidates within their own sectors and ranks. The movement of talent within the ecosystem provides fertile ground for startups to recruit experienced executives. However, despite this trend, some senior executives from unicorns and soonicorns are considering opportunities with traditional businesses. This shift in interest may be influenced by factors such as the current funding climate and market projections.

In conclusion, the Indian startup ecosystem, particularly unicorn startups, is actively hiring talent, showcasing their resilience and continued growth trajectory amidst challenges. However, the question arises: Is this aggressive hiring a testament to long-term growth confidence, or is it merely talent poaching within a closed loop of unicorns? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!

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It’s Apple vs 5 Tech Giants: Legal Battle Intensifies Over App Store Payment Policy

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Apple App Store battle

In January 2024, Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) introduced a significant change to its App Store by allowing external payment options. This means users now have the option to make purchases through links to developers’ websites rather than solely within the confines of the App Store. However, this move has faced opposition from tech giants such as Microsoft, Match Group, Meta, and X (formerly Twitter). They have jointly filed a legal brief known as an amicus curiae in the United States federal court, challenging Apple’s proposal.

The crux of the issue lies in the potential impact of this new change on the app ecosystem and competition within it. Even though Apple claims that the move is aimed at introducing more flexibility and transparency into its App Store policies, critics argue that it could have far-reaching consequences. By enabling external payment options, Apple could potentially alter the dynamics of the app market, affecting developers’ revenue streams and user experiences.

Apple’s Intentions

The Amici, comprising Microsoft, Match, Meta, and X, argue that Apple’s proposed scheme, which allows external purchase links within an app, imposes unjustified restrictions on the flow of information to users. They believe that these restrictions will ultimately stifle price competition in the app marketplace. Importantly, the Amici assert that these anti-steering restrictions will not only affect gaming apps but will have broad impacts across all types of apps.

The filing from these four companies (Microsoft, Match Group, Meta, and X) comes in the wake of similar criticisms from Epic Games, the developer behind the highly popular Fortnite game. Epic Games is pursuing legal action to force Apple to fully comply with a September 2021 ruling that found Apple in violation of unfair competition laws. This includes the tech giant taking up to 30% commissions on purchases made on the App Store. The ruling ordered Apple to allow app developers to direct users to their own payment systems, rather than exclusively using Apple’s in-app purchase system.

In their filing in a California district court, the four companies highlighted the multitude of requirements and limitations developers must meet to qualify for external purchase links in their apps.

The Amici also raised concerns regarding the feasibility of app developers implementing alternative payment options, given Apple’s up-to-27% fee on in-app purchases. They argued that Apple’s requirement for developers to direct users to their own websites for purchases is unnecessary. This practice detracts users from a centralized payment site where they can conveniently manage their payment options. Instead, users are forced to enter payment details multiple times on the developer site, resulting in a less streamlined and user-friendly experience.

Having experienced Apple’s anti-steering restrictions firsthand, often while competing directly with Apple’s own apps and services, the Amici claim to possess extensive knowledge of developing apps within Apple’s guidelines.

In a Nutshell

Amidst intensifying competition from alternative app distribution platforms and mounting regulatory pressures, Apple may see this new App Store policy as a way to maintain its market dominance while simultaneously appeasing regulators and developers. The introduction of external payment options could encourage developers to remain within the App Store ecosystem, granting them greater flexibility and control over their monetization strategies. This, in turn, could help Apple retain its ecosystem of high-quality apps and services.

Nevertheless, the battle is far from resolved. Industry titans such as Microsoft, Meta, X, and Epic Games argue that Apple’s proposed system falls short of full compliance with the court order. They advocate for developers to have the freedom to integrate their own payment systems directly within their apps, thereby completely bypassing Apple’s commission structure. Such a move could potentially result in reduced prices for consumers and foster a more accessible App Store environment.

Should the courts enforce this mandate, Apple might find itself obliged to permit the complete integration of third-party payment systems, thereby exerting a substantial impact on its App Store revenue model.

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Dark Side of Online Banking: 63% of Indians Fall Victim to Hidden Fee Trap

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Dazeinfo
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dark pattern Online banking

In today’s digital age, convenience often masks a darker reality. A recent survey conducted by LocalCircles has shed light on the prevalence of deceptive practices, or “dark patterns,” within India’s online banking sector. An alarming 63% of respondents disclosed instances where online banking platforms had deducted fees from their accounts without prior disclosure.

The deceptive practice of “hidden banking charges” often arises when users are led to believe they’ve been approved for a premium credit card, only to discover hefty fees (other than taxes) on their first monthly bill, which were never disclosed upfront. Such hidden charges, whether for annual credit card fees, money transfers, or transactional SMS services, have become a contentious issue among consumers.

The LocalCircles survey garnered an impressive 44,000 responses from users of online banking across 363 districts in India.

Unveiling Dark Patterns: Interface Interference

Another form of the dark pattern observed in online banking involves customers inadvertently acquiring products or services they hadn’t intended to pursue. This occurs through the implementation of interface interference tactics where online banking platforms disrupt the seamless flow of online transactions. As a result, users are driven into unintended purchases or subscriptions of products/services. Whether through intrusive pop-ups, misleading prompts, or subtle nudges, these tactics manipulate user behaviour and erode consumer autonomy.

Out of the 11,152 responses received, a significant 41% of online banking users indicated experiencing interface interference either very frequently or sometimes. On the other hand, a notable 27% reported experiencing interface interference rarely or never.

Subscription Traps

The third type of dark pattern observed in online banking is subscription traps. In these scenarios, consumers can easily sign up for a new product or service online, only to find themselves locked into recurring charges without straightforward options for unsubscribing. Instead of offering online cancellation, users are often required to visit a bank branch and navigate through paperwork and hassles to terminate the service.

Out of 10,988 responses, only 9% of online banking users reported encountering a subscription trap “very frequently,” while a notable 23% stated experiencing it “sometimes,” and 18% indicated it happened “rarely.”

Overall, 32% of surveyed users confirmed experiencing subscription traps where they were forced to visit bank branches or offices or contact the bank via phone to unsubscribe, as online cancellation options were unavailable.

Bait and Switch: False Promises and Misleading Offers

Another concerning revelation from the survey is the prevalence of bait-and-switch tactics used by online banking platforms in India. These tactics are similar to deceptive practices seen in e-commerce.

A significant 39% of respondents reported being promised one product or service but receiving something else.

In a Nutshell

The LocalCircles survey highlights numerous dark patterns in online banking in India, necessitating action from both consumers and banking regulators. These deceptive practices not only undermine consumer trust in online banking but also contradict the Government’s Digital India mission.

Last year, M. Rajeshwar Rao, the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), warned about the prevalence of dark patterns in the misselling of digital loans. He emphasized the deceptive nature of these practices, which trick users into availing of high-cost loans disguised as instant loans. It is imperative for both consumers and regulators to take proactive measures to combat these dark patterns and ensure transparency and fairness in online banking practices.

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AI on iPhone: Apple’s Game-Changing Move Set to Disrupt the Global Smartphone Industry

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Dazeinfo
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Google Gemini AI on iPhone

In a move that could redefine the smartphone industry, Apple has hinted at a significant shift in its approach to artificial intelligence (AI). The tech giant is reportedly in talks with Google for a groundbreaking collaboration involving Gemini, Google’s own powerful AI technology. If this Apple-Google deal materializes, it could mean the integration of Gemini’s artificial intelligence engine into the iPhone, marking a pivotal moment in smartphone innovation.

Apple has already teased that its upcoming iOS 18 will be the “biggest” update ever, with a strong focus on on-device AI capabilities. The company has been conducting rigorous tests of its own on-device large language models against industry benchmarks like OpenAI, signalling its commitment to maintaining a competitive edge while prioritizing user privacy.

It’s noteworthy that Apple has also explored partnerships with OpenAI for integrating AI chatbots on iPhone and other iOS devices.

AI on iPhone: Apple’s Hybrid Strategy

However, Apple’s decision to collaborate with Google or OpenAI for specific AI functions suggests a potential shift toward a hybrid AI strategy. This approach recognizes the inherent limitations of relying solely on on-device AI capabilities. By splitting its AI offerings, Apple could strike a balance between performance and privacy. Privacy-centric features could be handled on-device, possibly utilizing Gemini Nano. Meanwhile, more resource-intensive tasks, such as writing, long-form document analysis, or in-depth research, could be offloaded to the cloud.

Samsung, Apple’s biggest competitor, recently revealed plans to bring the Google Gemini-powered Galaxy AI feature to 100 million Galaxy devices. This initiative encompasses both Samsung’s own product lineup and other devices within Google’s Android ecosystem.

According to Samsung’s MX lead, integrating AI into phones signifies a significant revolution. Samsung acknowledges the importance of enhancing security and privacy standards in the current era of data-intensive mobile experiences. Therefore, the Korean giant has embraced a hybrid approach that combines on-device and cloud-based AI functionalities. This strategy ensures seamless usability while enabling users to restrict certain features to operate exclusively on their devices, providing them with greater control over their data usage.

Apple, Samsung, and other Android OEMs have constantly been introducing innovative features and cutting-edge specs, such as foldable designs and 5G compatibility, into their smartphones.

Apple and Samsung, in particular, have emerged as frontrunners, collectively holding nearly 90% share of the premium smartphone market worldwide. With minimal performance differences between their top-end flagships, the battle for consumer attention has intensified. Now, with the integration of AI in both iPhone and Samsung Galaxy devices, their devices will become more appealing, leading to increased competition between the two tech giants.

The Cloud vs. On-Device AI Debate

AI is emerging as the next battleground for privacy.

Reports are already surfacing indicating that generative AI prompts are susceptible to hacking, with major breaches considered inevitable. Apple highlighted this concern last month, emphasizing its stance on privacy. The company stated that some companies routinely scan personal data in the cloud to monetize user information. However, Apple does not engage in such practices. Instead, Apple prioritizes the security and privacy of their users, contrasting its approach with that of Google and its cloud offerings.

The debate over whether AI processes should occur in the cloud or on-device has significant privacy implications. Data sent to AI systems in the cloud lacks end-to-end encryption, making it vulnerable to storage, retrieval, and potential government intervention. This distinction has implications for how companies handle user data and privacy.

As Apple, Samsung, and other competitors navigate the evolving dynamics of AI and privacy, their approaches will become increasingly critical. The balance between on-device and cloud-based AI processes will shape user experiences and perceptions of privacy. Should an Apple and Google partnership materialize, it has the potential to reshape the user experience by bringing advanced AI capabilities directly into iOS devices.

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Paytm App Downloads and User Engagement Take a Nosedive Post RBI Measures

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Dazeinfo
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Paytm app downloads

The regulatory measures imposed on Paytm Payments Bank by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have had a direct impact on Paytm’s market dominance in India. Since the announcement of the ban on January 31, 2024, each passing week has brought forth a noticeable decline in various essential metrics crucial to Paytm’s performance, including app downloads, Weekly Active Users (WAUs), and overall user engagement.

According to data from Sensor Tower, Paytm’s mobile app downloads declined a significant 24% WoW during the week of February 5, 2024, immediately following the RBI order. In stark contrast, BHIM, one of Paytm’s rivals, witnessed an astonishing 125% WoW surge in app downloads during the same period.

However, PhonePe faced a similar reaction to Paytm, with app downloads falling 23% WoW during the week of February 5, 2024. Meanwhile, Google Pay and Airtel app downloads remained largely flat.

The decline in Paytm app downloads persisted into the following week, February 12th, 2024, with a further decrease of 9% WoW. However, a semblance of stability emerged over the subsequent two weeks as downloads increased 5% and 5% each WoW for the weeks of February 19 and February 26, respectively.

Zooming out to observe the broader picture, Paytm app downloads for the week starting February 26, 2024, declined a massive 56% YoY compared to the same week in 2023. Although this pronounced decline may be attributed to various other factors, the RBI’s regulatory directives undoubtedly played a pivotal role.

In addition to experiencing a decline in app downloads, Paytm has also faced a notable decrease in user engagement with its app.

The number of Paytm’s weekly active users (WAUs) declined an average of 3% WoW between February 5, 2024, and March 2, 2024.

Specifically, during the week of February 26th, 2024, Paytm witnessed an 11% decline in its weekly active users compared to the week of January 29, 2024, when the RBI announced the ban on PPBL. On a yearly basis, Paytm’s WAUs were down by 6% during the week of February 26, 2024.

The decline in Paytm’s WAUs contrasts with the relatively unchanged WAUs observed among its competitors, including PhonePe, Google Pay, and Airtel, during the same month period. However, BHIM, an app developed by the National Payments Corporation of India, saw an impressive 11% increase in WAUs during the week of February 26th, 2024, compared to the week of January 29, 2024.

Paytm UPI Market Share

Despite the entry of various new players, PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm Payments Bank continue to exert significant control over India’s UPI app market, collectively holding a market share of around 95% as of February 2024. However, Paytm’s UPI share has declined to 11% in February 2024, compared to 15% a year ago.

The fintech company is actively taking measures to ensure the continuity of its services for its users. Paytm has formed partnerships with four banks, securing five handles to facilitate UPI transactions. Among these handles, the company’s existing handle @paytm is included, allowing users to continue using it without requiring any modifications on their end. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has granted approval for @paytm and a closed user group UPI handle @ptyes for Paytm in collaboration with Yes Bank.

With these collective efforts in mind, it will be interesting to see how Paytm will bring back trust among Indian users for its UPI and other banking services.

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Affordable Apple Vision Pro is All Set to Revolutionise the Way We Interact With Technology

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Dazeinfo
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Apple Vision Pro

Innovation often intersects with affordability! In the dynamic realm of technology to shape the trajectory of industry giants. Apple, the world’s most valuable brand and iPhone maker, has found itself at a pivotal juncture as it navigates the evolving landscape of Augmented Reality (AR).

The tech giant is poised to redefine the AR landscape and solidify its position as an industry leader with the impending launch of a more affordable version of the Apple Vision Pro.

The genesis of this strategic move can be traced back to the underwhelming response received from customers and industry analysts for the Apple Vision Pro, the AR headset launched with a hefty price tag of US$3,500. The lukewarm response, however, sent shockwaves through the tech community, prompting Apple to reassess its pricing strategy of Vision Pro, and chart a new course forward.

Recognizing the need for greater accessibility and broader market appeal, Apple quickly pivots its approach and sets its sights on developing a more affordable alternative to overpriced Vision Pro.

The reports from The Elec, supported by leaker Revegnus, indicate that Apple is actively working to slash the cost of its Vision Pro device by more than 60%. This can’t be achieved without reimagining the most expensive component of the device – two 4K micro-OLED displays. These cutting-edge displays – although extremely impressive in terms of quality produced—contribute significantly to the device’s exorbitant price.

A closer look at the BOM (Bill of Materials) of Apple Vision Pro reveals that displays add $456 per unit to the overall cost of Apple Vision Pro. Identifying this as a major reason behind the exorbitant price of the device, Apple has prioritised to ‘refocus’ on it to make the device more affordable. Reports suggest that the company has set a target to reduce the price of these components by as much as 50%.

Apple’s quest to develop a more affordable Apple Vision Pro device would result in a significant shift of strategies, from targeting only premium-segment customers to launching more affordable products in the market. The Cupertino giant is aiming to capture a sizeable chunk of the growing AR market by offering a scaled-down version of Apple Vision Pro that offers the core functionalities people expect and use the most.

The far-reaching impacts of this strategic pivot have been, apparently, visualised by Apple. With a more affordable Apple Vision device available in the market, the company stands poised to democratise Augmented Reality and empower users to experience its transformative benefits firsthand. By lowering the price barrier, Apple has a wider reach of prospective buyers, including students, professionals, and early adopters who distanced themselves from the Apple Vision Pro due to its exorbitant price.

Moreover, by making a more affordable version of Vision Pro, the company is expected to emerge as the catalyst of an expansive AR ecosystem. Content Creators, Developers, and Businesses will jump on it as the adoption rates soar and there is a surge in demand. All would be eager to experience and capitalise on its potential. The excitement and adoption will lead to an abundance of AR-enabled apps, games and experiences, further strengthening the market presence of Apple Vision Pro devices and enhancing the value proposition of the Apple Vision ecosystem.

In conclusion, the cheaper Apple Vision Pro helps Apple to have a strategic pivot, which has the potential to redefine the landscape of augmented reality and unlock new growth opportunities. By prioritising accessibility, affordability and democratization, Apple is all set to revolutionize the way we have been interacting with technology and the digital world.

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Reliance Industries Expands Media Empire: Acquires More Stakes in Viacom 18

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Reliance Acquires More Stakes in Viacom 18

Reliance Industries continues its expansion strategy by acquiring Paramount Global’s entire 13.01% stake in Viacom 18 Media Private Limited. The deal, valued at approximately Rs. 4,286 crore (~$517 million), has been officially disclosed through a regulatory filing. It is noteworthy that following the completion of this transaction, Reliance’s stake in Viacom 18 will increase to 70.49% on a fully diluted basis, up from the existing 57.48%.

Currently, Paramount’s content is accessible for streaming on Reliance’s JioCinema platform. The company has expressed its dedication to maintaining its content licensing agreement with Viacom18 even after the completion of the deal.

It’s important to note that the acquisition of Paramount Global’s stake in Viacom 18 Media by Reliance Industries is not considered a related party transaction. This ensures fairness, as the involved parties, including Reliance’s promoters, promoter group, or affiliated companies, do not possess any special interests or connections that could unfairly influence the deal. However, regulatory approvals are necessary for the transaction’s completion.

Furthermore, the finalization of the transaction is contingent upon the execution of another significant deal between Reliance and Disney.

Reliance Ownership Structure

Viacom18 operates as a subsidiary of TV18 Broadcast, which is also a subsidiary of Network18 Group. Notably, Reliance Industries holds over 75% stake in the parent company, Network18.

In a significant move back in 2014, Reliance injected a substantial amount, up to Rs. 4,000 crore, into the Independent Media Trust (IMT). This strategic investment enabled Reliance to secure complete control over Network18 Media and TV18 Broadcast Ltd.

Reliance has been acutely aware of Viacom18’s relatively smaller stature compared to TV industry giants like Star, Zee, and Sony. Therefore, the company has been making efforts to either acquire or merge with these big players to establish India’s largest entertainment platform. This strategic pursuit began with Reliance’s efforts to expand through a merger with Sony Pictures Entertainment’s India unit. However, the proposed merger was called off in 2020 due to disagreements over shareholding and valuation.

Following the setback with Sony, Reliance turned its attention to merging Viacom18 with Zee. Although Invesco, Zee’s largest shareholder at the time, supported the idea and advocated for changes to the Zee board, the Zee promoters rejected Reliance’s offer. Subsequently, Zee pursued a deal with Sony, which also encountered difficulties and ultimately called off in January 2024 after two years of negotiations.

Despite the setbacks in dealing with the second and third largest players, Reliance achieved success in its third attempt by acquiring the market leader, Star India. The merger between Star and Viacom18, finalized on February 28, 2024, is poised to establish an $8.5 billion media powerhouse. This combined entity will hold a dominant presence in both television and digital segments, marking a significant milestone in Reliance’s strategic expansion within the media and entertainment industry.

In a strategic move to solidify its presence in the OTT streaming space, Reliance announced a significant merger with Walt Disney Co, resulting in the creation of a formidable entity valued at Rs 70,000 crore.

According to the agreement, Reliance and its affiliates will hold a majority stake of 63.16% in the merged company, which will feature two streaming services and 120 television channels. On the other hand, Disney will retain the remaining 36.84% of the entity.

As part of its commitment to bolstering the joint venture, Reliance has pledged to infuse Rs 11,500 crore upon the closure of the deal, propelling JioCinema to the forefront in the face of competitors like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.

Reliance Industries’ relentless pursuit of expansion and strategic mergers underscores its commitment to solidifying its position as a dominant force in India’s media and entertainment landscape. With bold moves such as acquiring stakes in Viacom 18 and Star India and merging with Walt Disney Co., Reliance is poised to reshape the industry. Ultimately, Indian consumers will benefit the most by having a wide range of movies and TV shows all under one platform. However, the question arises: Does Reliance’s monopoly in the Indian media and entertainment industry serve the greater good?

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Get Rid of Frustrating Spam Calls and SMSs: The New Government Portal is Impressive

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Dazeinfo
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Chaksu Portal

The Indian government recently introduced the Chaksu Portal to address the pressing issue of spam calls, SMS, and fraudulent messages. This innovative platform aims to empower citizens in dealing with the nuisance that is becoming more troublesome with the increasing digitisation of processes. Given India’s continuous struggle against a surge in fraud and privacy breaches, the launch of the Chaksu Portal represents a move towards safeguarding the country’s digital landscape.

India faces hurdles in combatting spam calls, SMS inundation and cybercrime due to the exploded adoption of smartphones and rapid digital growth. Statistics reveal that India is among the top countries globally for receiving volumes of spam calls and messages per user. In 2021, Indian mobile users were bombarded with over 26 billion spam calls — an indication of the scale of this issue. More than 65% of Indians receive at least three or more spam calls every day. One out of every two spam calls are made by telemarketers/system-generated calls intending to sell financial services. Every third spam call offers real estate.

But telemarketers are not the sole culprits behind spam calls or SMSs in India.

Cybercrime cases in India have been increasing at an alarming rate for the last few years, encompassing threats like phishing attacks, identity thefts, online frauds and data breaches. Many of these are executed via spam calls/SMSs.

Introducing Chaksu Portal

The Ministry of Telecommunications under the Union Government has launched the new Chaksu Portal, which acts as a hub where citizens can report instances of spam calls, unwanted messages, and fraudulent activities. It equips individuals with tools to address threats proactively.

When users encounter any situation, they can go to the portal and file a complaint, sharing information – source, number, etc – about unwanted calls, SMSs, or even WhatsApp Messages. The portal gathers these complaints and sends them to the authorities for investigation and necessary actions. The Chaksu Portal strives to reduce spam and cyber risks by simplifying the reporting procedure and enabling responses, ultimately improving India’s security.

Users will have a 30-day window to report any suspected fraudulent call or SMS.

To provide a complete 360-degree solution the government has seamlessly integrated all the stakeholders with platform called Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP). All the banks, law enforcement agencies and private financial institutions or intermediaries would be cooridnating though this in an effort to avoid misuse of telecom resources.

“Chakshu will allow Indian citizens to report fraudulent communication–whether received on call or SMS or social media like WhatsApp. Once such information is received, the platform will trigger re-verification, and failing re-verification the number will be disconnected,” says Ashwini Waishnav, the UNion IT and Communication Minister.

Through the portal, the government is primarily focused on handling cases related to sextortion, impersonation of government officials or banking officers asking for KYC validation, expiry or similar fraudulent activity.

How to lodge a complaint related to spam calls or SMS:

  • Visit Sanchari website, and scroll down to click on Citizen centric Services.
  • Select Chakshu portal option and subsequently click on Continue in order to proceed to report the suspected phone call or message.
  • The system will now ask you to feed the medium of suspected activity, like call, text message or whatsApp message.
  • An appreciate category must be selected to report this communication. Then you need to attach a screenshot of the call or message to establish the authenticity of your claim.
  • Click Next, then the system asks you to key in the details about the suspected mobile number, date and time of the fraud communication.
  • In the final step, you are required to feed your own personal details like full name, date of birth and phone number and enter a one time password (OTP) sent to your phone to register the complaint.

While Chakshu is indeed a commendable effort from the government of India to address digital nuisance, its effectiveness in countering spam calls, SMS and fraudulent messages is yet to be seen.

Critics argue that the portal’s success depends on strong enforcement mechanisms, quick grievance disposal, and cooperation between government agencies and telecom operators. The portal must also have the potential to respond to emerging digital threats by adopting innovative techniques such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to enhance its long-term functionality.

In its quest to deal with the massive problem of spamming telephone calls, messages, emails or cybercrime, initiatives like Chaksu Portal offer hope for a safe and secure digital future in India. Nevertheless, these can only be accomplished through a collective approach involving various stakeholders such as government bodies, telecommunication firms, technological organizations and the ordinary population aimed at developing a culture of responsible digital citizenship. Using technology effectively, creating consciousness about it and promoting partnerships could make India safer against computer attacks thereby offering more accessible digital habitat to all people within the society.

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