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  • India’s DPDP Act: A Game-Changer in Cybersecurity

    Data security breach generic

    Digital data protection bill reflects India’s commitment to safeguarding usersWikipedia Commons

    In a significant move towards safeguarding digital data, the Indian government has introduced the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023. This legislation, as stated by the Ministry of Electronics & IT, is designed to uphold individuals’ rights to protect their data, incorporating established principles for its protection. The Act is a reflection of India’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its citizens’ digital data in an era where cyber threats are increasingly prevalent.

    The DPDP Act, 2023, outlines several key principles for data protection. These include obtaining consent for lawful and transparent use of personal data, limiting its use to specified purposes, and minimizing data collection to necessary levels. The Act also emphasizes the importance of ensuring data accuracy and timely updates, restricting storage duration to the required period, and implementing robust security measures.

    Furthermore, it enforces accountability through penalties for breaches and data adjudication. In addition to these principles, the Act imposes stringent protections on personal data transfers. This is exemplified by the Reserve Bank of India’s directive under Section 10(2) and Section 18 of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, which mandates the storage of payment system data within India.

    Digital connectivity

    Digital connectivityIANS

    As India continues to harness the benefits of digital transformation, maintaining stringent data protection standards is crucial. With over 936 million Internet subscribers, India has emerged as a global leader in the digital landscape. However, this staggering figure also presents challenges, as the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has registered several cases of cybercrimes in the past three years.

    To enhance the coordinated response of law enforcement agencies to cybercrimes, the Centre has established the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre. Additionally, the government has launched the ‘Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System’ to facilitate immediate reporting of financial frauds and prevent fund siphoning by fraudsters. A toll-free helpline number, ‘1930’, has been operationalised to assist with lodging online cyber complaints, ensuring swift response and support for victims of cyber fraud.

    In the context of global data governance, India’s approach to data protection offers an alternative model to those adopted by other countries. For instance, the USA has a comprehensive set of laws and regulations to combat cybercrime, including the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), which provides for both criminal and civil penalties for various cybercrimes. Similarly, Belgium has stringent laws governing the advertising of medicinal products, including the Sunshine Act, which imposes a legal transparency obligation on pharmaceutical companies.

    Cabinet clears Personal Data Protection Bill

    Cabinet clears Personal Data Protection BillIANS

    The introduction of the DPDP Act, 2023, is a significant step in India’s journey towards robust data protection. It not only safeguards individuals’ rights to protect their data but also contributes to fostering trust, resilience, and sustainable growth in India’s digital economy. As the country continues to navigate the digital landscape, the Act serves as a crucial tool in ensuring the safety and security of its citizens’ digital data.

    The DPDP Act, 2023, is a testament to India’s commitment to data protection. It sets a precedent for other countries to follow, offering a comprehensive framework for safeguarding digital data. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges posed by cyber threats, such legislation is crucial in ensuring the safety, security, and privacy of digital data.

  • Apple set to manufacture high-end iPhone 16 Pro models in India, to arrive soon after global launch

    Apple Design Awards 2024

    Apple Design Awards 2024Apple

    In a fillip to the country’s local manufacturing success story, tech giant Apple is set to make its ‘Make in India’ iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max models available in the country right after the global launch this fall, industry sources said on Friday.

    Sources told IANS that these high-end, India-assembled Apple devices will be available within 1-2 months of the global launch in partnership with leading manufacturer Foxconn’s facility in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.

    Meanwhile, iPhone 16 is set to be made available on the first day of global sales in India, just like last year when iPhone 15 arrived in the domestic market on the very first day of the global sale. It will be shortly followed by iPhone 16 Plus models, sources added.

    Last year, iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus had received overwhelming numbers of pre-orders, nearly 50 per cent more than the iPhone 14 series.

    The development came as iPhone maker Apple achieved record exports numbers in the April-June quarter in the country, reaching around $3.8 billion, riding on the government’s production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme.

    According to industry estimates, iPhone shipments are projected to increase by over 20 per cent this year on the back of domestic manufacturing support and strong distribution.

    How suppliers are helping iPhone maker achieve green energy goals

    How suppliers are helping iPhone maker achieve green energy goalsIANS

    With iPhone 15, Apple had made India a sweet spot in its future scheme of things — ‘Make in India‘ devices to roll out on the global sale day (September 22) and support for ISRO-made GPS called NavIC.

    According to industry experts, they see a definitive trend where Apple is attracting many first-time users for its newly-launched iPhones in India, apart from a robust sale of previous-generation devices which continue to increase Apple’s overall market share in the country.

    In the first quarter this year, India’s smartphone market saw shipment of 34 million smartphones, as Apple had a record first-quarter shipment, growing by 19 per cent YoY.

    Apple saw a robust around $8 billion sales in the country in the last fiscal (FY24) – a nearly 33 per cent rise (year-on-year).

    The growth momentum is driven by its strong brand salience, increased manufacturing and retail focus in the market in India.

    According to experts, with rising tensions between the US and China, India offers Apple a strategic hedge to diversify its manufacturing and revenue streams.

    (With inputs from IANS)

     

  • From Routine to Revolutionary: How AI is Transforming Enterprise Engineering

    AI is Transforming Enterprise Engineering

    The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has ushered in a new era of productivity and innovation in enterprise engineering. As organizations strive to remain competitive in an increasingly digital landscape, the integration of AI technologies has become not just a luxury but a necessity. Vinay Puri’s article explores the profound impact of AI on enterprise productivity, highlighting innovations, challenges, and future directions in this rapidly evolving field.

    Automation of Repetitive Tasks

    AI’s impact on enterprise productivity is profound, particularly in automating repetitive tasks. Robotic Process Automation (RPA) with AI has led to cost reductions of 15% to 90%, averaging 30% across industries. In manufacturing, AI-driven robots enhance productivity and quality by handling assembly tasks.

    Beyond manufacturing, AI automation in financial services could save banks up to $447 billion by 2023, primarily through back-office process automation, fraud detection, and improved customer service operations. This demonstrates AI’s transformative potential across various sectors, driving significant efficiency and cost savings.

    Predictive Analytics for Informed Decision-Making

    AI’s ability to process and analyze vast amounts of data in real-time has revolutionized enterprise decision-making. Powered by machine learning algorithms, predictive analytics can forecast trends, identify potential issues, and suggest optimal solutions before problems arise. In retail, AI-driven demand forecasting has yielded impressive results.

    A major e-commerce platform found that AI-based predictive analytics reduced inventory costs by 30% and increased sales by 15% through precise stock management and targeted promotions. This impact extends to healthcare, where AI-powered predictive models accurately diagnose diseases and predict patient outcomes. A study in Nature Medicine showed that an AI system predicted acute kidney injury up to 48 hours in advance with 90% accuracy.

    Personalized Customer Experiences

    AI technologies, especially machine learning and natural language processing, have enabled enterprises to deliver highly personalized customer experiences at scale, enhancing customer satisfaction and driving efficiency in marketing and sales. AI-powered chatbots exemplify this impact, handling up to 80% of routine queries, reducing response times by 99%, and cutting service costs by up to 30%.

    These chatbots are increasingly sophisticated and capable of understanding and responding to complex queries in multiple languages. In e-commerce, AI-driven personalization significantly boosts sales and customer loyalty. A study by a consultancy group found that retailers using AI personalization saw sales gains of 6-10%, growing two to three times faster than others.

    Organizational Adaptation for AI Integration

    To fully harness AI’s potential, enterprises must adopt agile and flexible organizational structures. Traditional hierarchies are too rigid for the rapid decision-making and innovation cycles AI enables. A study by MIT Sloan Management Review found that companies with flexible, team-based structures are five times more likely to succeed in their AI initiatives than those with traditional hierarchies, highlighting the need for organizational agility in the AI era.

    Additionally, AI integration requires rethinking enterprise workflows. For example, an AI-driven workflow optimization system in a large insurance company reduced claim processing time by 40% and improved accuracy by 25%, significantly boosting efficiency.

    Challenges and Ethical Considerations

    While AI significantly benefits enterprise engineering, several challenges must be addressed. Data privacy and security are paramount as AI systems rely on vast amounts of data. The “black box” nature of many machine learning algorithms raises concerns about unintended data exposure or misuse, necessitating new techniques in “explainable AI” and “privacy-preserving machine learning.”

    Workforce adaptation and training are also crucial. Integrating AI technologies requires significant workforce adaptation, including developing new skills that complement AI capabilities, such as emotional intelligence, creativity, and complex problem-solving. This holistic approach ensures that AI can be effectively and securely integrated into enterprise systems.

    In conclusion, Vinay Puri highlights that integrating AI into enterprise engineering transforms organizational operations and value creation. AI enhances productivity through automation, predictive analytics, and personalized customer experiences but presents challenges in adaptation, data privacy, workforce training, and ethics. Overcoming these ensures enterprises harness AI’s full potential for sustainable productivity.

  • After 500 mln in India, WhatsApp has reached 100 million monthly users in US: Mark Zuckerberg upbeat

    WHATSAPP

    Meta-owned WhatsApp has reached 100 million users in the US, said its CEO Mark Zuckerberg. This is the first time the social media company has revealed its US figures for the WhatsApp service. Meta also said that over 50 per cent of WhatsApp’s users own iPhones.

    Compared to the US, WhatsApp has more than 500 million monthly active users in India. Globally, the popular mobile messaging service has over 2 billion users.

    Earlier this month, WhatsApp rolled out a new feature that will help users stay safe in group messaging. According to the company, this has already started rolling out to users and will be available to all users in the coming weeks.

    Whatsapp

    WhatsAppIANS

    This includes who added you, how recent the group was created, and who created it. From there, you can decide whether to stay or leave the group and review some of the safety tools available to stay safe and secure on WhatsApp.

    The platform is also reportedly working on a new feature to bring a ‘communities tab’ to iPad. It is also working on a new in-app dialler feature that will allow users to make calls directly from the app. 

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Germane Media Launches Swift TV: Revolutionizing Free Ad-Supported Streaming in India

    Swift TV

    Germane Media – Swift TV

    Germane Media, founded in mid-2022, is a leading company in digital ad monetization. They specialize in programmatic technologies for digital publishers in 15 countries across five continents, focusing on video monetization for web, in-app, and Connected TV (CTV). Germane Media partners with advertisers and agencies to offer tailored ad deals using first-party data and a clean supply chain, ensuring effective outreach to publications. Earlier this year, Germane Media became a Google Certified Publishing Partner in the APAC region, achieving this milestone in just 15 months. They work with top buyers like Amazon, Pubmatic, Freewheel, Microsoft, and Magnite to provide high-quality supply.

    Germane Media recognized the growing potential of CTV in the Western market last year and quickly established itself as a leading provider of advertising solutions in the APAC region. Collaborating with numerous CTV publishers and FAST platforms, Germane Media saw a great opportunity in the APAC market for streaming. After six months of planning and execution, Germane Media is excited to launch Swift TV, a new streaming platform for the Indian audience.

    Swift TV will initially be available on mobile play stores and plans to expand to TV OS platforms soon. It will debut in India by the end of the year and aims to reach regions like the US, UK, Canada, and Dubai, targeting the Indian diaspora. The platform expects to attract 1 million users by year-end and 3-5 million within the first 12 months, covering in-app and CTV inventory.

    “Our background in ad monetization will help make Swift TV successful. Our connections with SSPs, DSPs, and agencies will ensure the best advertising yield on our platform, unlike others that rely on third parties for monetization,” said Abhishek Singh, CEO. “Swift TV will offer live streaming seminars, webinars, and special event screenings in the coming months.”

    Swift TV is an independent Free Ad-Supported Television (FAST) platform that provides viewers with diverse, curated, and theme-based content at no cost. In a market dominated by subscription-based services, Swift TV promotes the growing FAST culture in India, delivering high-quality entertainment accessible to all. Personalized recommendations enhance the viewing experience, making Swift TV a platform that caters to individual tastes and preferences.

    “Swift TV aims to democratize digital entertainment, making it inclusive and enjoyable for a wider audience. Join the Swift TV revolution and enjoy the best of curated Indian entertainment for free,” said Sai Srikanth, CTO.

    With Swift TV, Germane Media is set to revolutionize the digital entertainment landscape in India, offering an innovative platform that combines ad-supported streaming with personalized, high-quality content

  • Digital data protection bill seeks to safeguard users’ security: Centre

    5G

    Cabinet clears Personal Data Protection Billpixabay

    Amid the changing landscape where cyber-criminals use novel methods to steal personal data, the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023 upholds individuals’ rights to safeguard their data, incorporating established principles for its protection, the government has said.

    According to Ministry of Electronics & IT, these principles include obtaining consent for lawful and transparent use of personal data, limiting its use to specified purposes, minimising data collection to necessary levels, ensuring data accuracy and timely updates, restricting storage duration to the required period, implementing robust security measures, and enforcing accountability through penalties for breaches and data adjudication.

    The Act also imposes stringent protections on personal data transfers, as exemplified by the Reserve Bank of India’s directive under Section 10(2) and Section 18 of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, mandating the storage of payment system data within India.

    “These provisions underscore the Act’s commitment to robust data protection standards and restrictions on personal data transfers, which remain in effect under its framework,” said the IT Ministry.

    AI

    AI TECH GROWING FASTINTERNET

    As the country continues to harness the benefits of digital transformation, maintaining stringent data protection standards will be crucial in fostering trust, resilience, and sustainable growth in its digital economy.

    The country has emerged as a global leader in the digital landscape, with more than 936 million Internet subscribers.

    Keeping such a staggering figure in mind, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has registered several cases of cybercrimes during the last three years.

    The Centre has also established the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (14C) to enhance the coordinated response of law enforcement agencies to cybercrimes.

    The government launched the ‘Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System’ to facilitate the immediate reporting of financial frauds and prevent fund siphoning by fraudsters.

    A toll-free helpline number, ‘1930’, has been operationalised to assist with lodging online cyber complaints, ensuring swift response and support for victims of cyber fraud.

    (With inputs from IANS)

     

  • Automotive firms struggle to recruit talent in AI, cybersecurity: Report

    AI

    artificial intelligence gaining its powerIANS

    About 94 per cent of automotive firms struggle to recruit talent in artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, according to a report on Friday.

    The report by EdTech platform Skill-Lync is based on an extensive survey, involving over 220 leaders from the engineering and HR divisions of top automotive firms in India

    It showed that 94 per cent of people find it challenging to recruit in specialised fields such as software-defined vehicles (SDV), and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). About 60-65 per cent of the talent requirements in companies are for mid-level professionals with 3-7 years of experience.

    This report is a valuable resource for industry professionals, policymakers, educators, and investors seeking to navigate the evolving talent landscape and drive innovation within the sector.

    “The rapid advancements in automotive technologies like AI, SDV, and cybersecurity, etc, are reshaping the industry, and it’s crucial that our workforce evolves with these changes,” said Krishna Bandaru, Co-Founder at Skill-Lync.

    Artificial intelligence (AI)

    Artificial intelligence (AI)IAN

    India’s automotive industry, ranked third globally in 2022, is projected to reach a valuation of $1 trillion by 2035. To effectively navigate and leverage this growth, it is essential to have a skilled workforce of engineers in emerging technologies like electrification, ADAS, software-defined vehicles, and data analytics.

    Bandaru said the company works to “bridge these gaps by providing industry-aligned, high-quality education and training”.

    “Through our specialised training programmes, we aim to upskill working professionals and contribute to India’s growth as a global automotive hub.”

    Established in 2016, Skill-Lync has equipped thousands of engineers with career-ready skillsets by meticulously aligning their coursework with job market demands.

    (With inputs from IANS)

     

  • The Future of Compliance: Leveraging AI in Cloud Computing

    AI in Cloud Computing

    In an era of digital transformation, the cloud computing landscape has rapidly evolved, providing organizations with unparalleled access to storage, processing power, and scalability. Prajakta Sudhir Samant delves into this transformation, focusing on the critical role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in ensuring compliance with global data protection regulations. This article explores the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in the context of compliance, emphasizing the need for a balanced and ethical approach.

    The Importance of Compliance in Cloud Computing

    The explosion of cloud computing has necessitated stringent compliance with data protection regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). These regulations impose strict data handling and protection requirements, with severe penalties for non-compliance. The GDPR, for instance, has had a profound impact since its implementation in 2018, with organizations facing potential fines of up to €20 million or 4% of their global revenue for violations​.

    According to the findings, compliance is not merely a legal obligation but also a crucial factor in building trust and maintaining a positive reputation in the market. A study by the Cloud Security Alliance found that 82% of organizations consider compliance a key factor when choosing a cloud service provider, and 91% are more likely to trust providers that demonstrate regulatory adherence​. This trust is vital, as non-compliance can lead to significant financial penalties and loss of customer trust, as evidenced by the €746 million fine imposed on Amazon by Luxembourg’s data protection authority​.

    AI’s Role in Enhancing Compliance Efforts

    AI has become a vital tool in the compliance landscape, offering solutions for automated data mapping, privacy impact assessments (PIAs), consent management, and anomaly detection. These technologies streamline compliance processes and reduce the burden on human resources, enhancing efficiency and accuracy in adhering to regulations.

    One of the key applications of AI in compliance is automated data mapping and classification. AI-powered tools can rapidly identify and categorize personal data across cloud environments, ensuring adherence to regulations like GDPR and CCPA. Gartner predicts that by 2023, 60% of organizations will use AI-powered data discovery and classification tools, significantly cutting down manual effort. For example, IBM Watson Knowledge Catalog uses machine learning algorithms to discover and classify sensitive data, providing a comprehensive view of data assets.

    In the realm of PIAs, AI-powered tools analyze data processing practices, identify potential privacy risks, and generate detailed reports, facilitating proactive compliance. Tools like OneTrust’s Assessment Automation module save time and ensure thorough assessments.

    Consent management benefits from AI by efficiently managing and tracking user consent, crucial for regulations requiring explicit consent for data processing. This capability is essential for managing consent across multiple channels and generating audit trails.

    AI’s real-time anomaly detection capabilities are critical in identifying potential data breaches and unauthorized access. This proactive approach is vital in minimizing the damage from security incidents, as evidenced by a 27% reduction in breach containment time for organizations using AI-powered security solutions.

    Challenges and Considerations

    Despite its benefits, integrating AI in compliance efforts is not without challenges. Data privacy and security risks are significant concerns, as AI systems can become cyberattack targets. Moreover, the potential for AI to perpetuate bias in decision-making processes raises ethical questions that organizations must address. Ensuring transparency and explainability in AI-driven compliance decisions is crucial for maintaining trust and accountability​​.

    In conclusion, AI presents transformative potential for enhancing compliance in cloud computing. However, its implementation must be approached with a balanced perspective, addressing ethical considerations, ensuring transparency, and maintaining human oversight. As Prajakta Sudhir Samant’s research emphasizes, leveraging AI in compliance extends beyond technological advancement; it’s crucial for upholding fairness, security, and trust in the digital age.

  • 6th-gen Samsung Galaxy foldables now available in India

    Samsung reveals India pricing for new foldables, new wearables

    Samsung reveals India pricing for new foldables, new wearablesIANS

    South Korean giant Samsung on Wednesday announced the sale of its sixth-generation foldable smartphones along with other new devices for consumers in India.

    Galaxy Z Fold6, Galaxy Z Flip6 and the Galaxy connected ecosystem products will be available across retail outlets.

    The company said consumers can own Galaxy Z Flip6 at just Rs 4,250 and Galaxy Z Fold6 at just Rs 6,542 with no-cost EMI for up to 24 months, along with other benefits.

    The company said that in the first 24 hours, pre-orders for Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 jumped 40 per cent higher as compared to the previous generation foldables in India.

    For Indian consumers, Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 are being manufactured at the company’s Noida factory.

    The new foldables are the slimmest and lightest Galaxy Z series devices ever, and come with perfectly symmetrical design with straight edges. The Galaxy Z series is also equipped with enhanced Armor Aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, making this the most durable Galaxy Z series yet.

    Galaxy AI

    Galaxy AISamsung Official Website

    The Galaxy Z Fold6 offers a range of AI-powered features and tools – Note Assist, Composer, Sketch to image, Interpreter, Photo Assist and Instant Slow-mo — to maximise the large screen and significantly enhance your productivity.

    Galaxy Z Fold6 starts at Rs 164,999 (12GB+256GB), while Galaxy Z Flip6 is available from Rs 109,999 (12GB+256GB).

    Galaxy Watch Ultra is priced at Rs 59,999 and Galaxy Watch7 starts at Rs 29,999 for the 40mm variant, said the company.

    (With inputs from IANS)

     

  • Apple’s Watch for kids service now live in India

    Apple launches watch for kids in India with easy calling, texting, activity monitoring

     Apple launches watch for kids in India with easy calling, texting, activity monitoringIANS

    Tech giant Apple on Wednesday made its watch for kids feature available in India that comes with easy calling, texting, and activity monitoring.

    The Apple Watch for kids is functional “even if they don’t have their own iPhone”, said the company in a statement.

    It may help parents who do not want to give mobile phones to children.

    “Apple Watch For Your Kids is available in India, on cellular models of Apple Watch Series 4 or later or Apple Watch SE, paired with iPhone 8 or later running the latest watchOS and iOS,” Apple said.

    “It brings communication, health, fitness, and safety features of Apple Watch to kids and other family members who do not yet have an iPhone,” the company added.

    It can be set up through a parent’s iPhone and is easy to call and text.

    Apple Design Awards 2024

    Apple Design Awards 2024Apple

    Parents can know the location of their children, while all the personal data stays securely encrypted.

    Parents also can approve all contacts, so kids can safely use the communication features of the Apple Watch.

    Besides children, the entire family can also benefit from the important health and safety features of the Apple Watch, like Emergency SOS, while Maps, Siri, Alarms, and the App Store provide greater independence without needing an iPhone.

    “Kids using Apple Watch For Your Kids will have their own phone number through a separate cellular plan, and by using their own Apple ID,” Apple said, adding that a wireless service plan for Apple Watch is required for cellular service, currently available through Jio in India.

    The children can also follow schedules and family events using the calendar feature, learn to manage tasks with reminders, and view photo albums synced from a guardian’s iPhone.

    Using the App Store on Apple Watch, kids can download third-party apps directly on the device, while parents can manage what is available for download.

    (With inputs from IANS)