Instant messaging app WhatsApp temporarily put multiple accounts, including those in India, "under review" for 24 hours, blocking all app features. This disruption prompted numerous affected users to voice their concerns on social media, while a WhatsApp spokesperson acknowledged the issue, stating they are working to resolve it quickly.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has deemed WhatsApp messages sent by a deceased tribal man to his father as a "prima facie crucial dying declaration" in a suicide abetment case. This ruling led to the denial of bail for three accused individuals, who were allegedly involved in harassing the victim over an agricultural land dispute. The court highlighted the electronic evidence and corroborating family statements.
WhatsApp is testing new ways for users in India to confirm their age as it prepares to comply with upcoming legal requirements, including those related to the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, the Meta-owned messaging platform said on Tuesday.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has alleged that the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak was orchestrated through an extensive digital network, with confidential question papers circulated via WhatsApp, Telegram, and electronic files among conspirators days before the examination.
Meta-owned WhatsApp has submitted its reply to the government's notice on the "username" feature and the response is being examined, sources said on Thursday.
WhatsApp is finally letting you hide your phone number behind a custom username. While it's a massive win for privacy, cybersecurity experts warn it could unleash a wave of identity scams. Here is what you need to know.
The Indian government has issued a notice to Meta regarding WhatsApp's upcoming username feature, warning the platform not to roll it out until concerns about potential fraud, impersonation, and public safety are addressed to the government's satisfaction.
WhatsApp is introducing an optional username feature, allowing users to connect and chat without needing to share their phone numbers. This privacy-focused update will roll out gradually, enabling users to reserve unique usernames and offering greater control over personal information, especially in group chats or when interacting with businesses.
WhatsApp has asserted that username reservation relating to well-known public figure names is restricted only to their legitimate account owners, and termed as "false" any claims that people are reserving popular or well-known usernames.
Meta-owned WhatsApp has been granted more time to submit its response on the contentious 'username' feature and assured the government that it will not roll it out in India until discussions are complete, according to sources.
WhatsApp has released detailed FAQs on its upcoming username feature, outlining measures to address concerns around impersonation, scams, and unwanted contact, amidst government scrutiny.
India's IT Ministry has issued notices to Telegram and Signal, following a similar action against WhatsApp, questioning their username features due to concerns over increased online fraud, phishing, and impersonation. The government is seeking explanations on how these platforms address such risks, with one homegrown app already disabling the feature.
Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has uncovered a Rs 1.5 crore WhatsApp fraud, leading to the arrest of two key SIM and OTP suppliers in West Bengal. The investigation revealed a sophisticated international cybercrime network spanning China, Pakistan, India, and Hong Kong, operating a "boss scam" and utilizing a "Cybercrime as a Service" model. Police recovered a significant portion of the defrauded amount and secured thousands of devices.
Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has accused Reliance Group, which has a partial Meta stake, of lobbying for a ban on Telegram in India and sabotaging its access for users outside India through BGP hijacking. A senior telecom industry source dismissed these claims as 'fake news,' stating Durov confused Reliance Communications with Reliance Industries Ltd. The allegations come as the Indian government has ordered Google and Apple to delist Telegram temporarily and disable its message-editing feature in India due to concerns over paper leaks in the NEET-UG examination.
A WhatsApp status update allegedly led to a shooting incident in Thane's Kalyan West area, stemming from a rivalry between two local groups. Police have arrested two accomplices and detained the main accused, who reportedly self-inflicted a gunshot wound to mislead authorities.
Fintech platform CRED announced a significant funding round of Rs 8,550 crore led by Meta, coinciding with founder Kunal Shah's departure as CEO to take on the global leadership role for WhatsApp.
The Indian IT Ministry has engaged in 'hard talk' with Meta regarding child sexual abuse material (CSAM), leading to increased sensitivity and action from the tech giant. The government asserts that Indian laws must be followed and social media harms mitigated, with no safe harbour for violations. Discussions also covered AI labelling and the WhatsApp username issue, highlighting a global concern over social media harms.
A BJP leader in Nagpur has filed a police complaint after his WhatsApp account was hacked and used to solicit money from his contacts.
Gujarat CID has arrested Rafiqul Alam, the alleged 'mastermind' behind 1,090 cybercrimes totalling Rs 1,071.5 crore, who was found to have links with China-based criminals and converted illicit funds into cryptocurrencies.
A bank employee in Lucknow allegedly shot dead his wife and sister before taking his own life, reportedly due to marital discord. The incident involved shootings outside an ICICI Bank branch and at his home, with the accused posting a WhatsApp status alleging 'betrayal' by his wife.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a ban on social media access for all children under the age of 16, citing their 'happiness and safety'. The ban, which will not include messaging apps like WhatsApp, aims to protect children from harmful content, bullying, and the addictive nature of platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Legislative powers are in place for the law to come into force by Spring next year.
'She was always thinking of how to improve the scene and how to do better in each shot. Even at that age her passion and commitment was so inspiring.'
India's markets regulator, Sebi, has issued a warning to listed companies and regulated entities about an emerging cyber fraud known as the "Boss Scam." This scam involves fraudsters impersonating senior officials like CEOs or MDs to trick finance teams into transferring funds, often using advanced AI tools or malicious software. Sebi advises organisations to verify requests independently and report incidents to prevent financial losses.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra has moved a privilege notice before Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla against three senior officials, alleging a serious breach of protocol and contemptuous conduct after she was asked to vacate a circuit house in West Bengal's Krishnanagar late in the night on August 14.
A question paper for the All Odisha Medical PG Examination was allegedly shared on social media platforms, specifically WhatsApp groups, while the exam was underway. This incident, which occurred during the General Surgery paper for the 2023-26 batch, has prompted an internal investigation by the Odisha University of Health Sciences, even as officials deny it was a "leak" as the paper emerged during the test.
A special NIA court in Jammu has rejected the bail plea of Insha Jan alias Insha Tariq, an accused in the 2019 Pulwama suicide attack that killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel, observing that sufficient material existed on record to presume that the accusations against her were prima facie true.
Messaging platform Telegram has submitted its reply to the IT Ministry's notice regarding its 'username' feature, which allows users to communicate without sharing phone numbers, following a similar submission by WhatsApp.
Police in Budgam, Jammu and Kashmir, have registered a case against a man for allegedly operating a fake WhatsApp account in the name of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Budgam.
The Indian government has summoned Meta's global head of public policy after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Facebook post, addressing youth and promising action against paper leaks, was temporarily removed. Meta attributed the removal to a 'glitch' in its automated content filters, an explanation the government deems insufficient, demanding further discussions.
Cine and TV Artistes Association President Poonam Dhillon has strongly refuted allegations of misusing her position, calling them 'deeply offensive' and stemming from disgruntled CINTAA members who failed to get their way through legal proceedings.
An Indian Parliamentary panel has summoned major social media platforms like Meta, Google, X, and Snapchat, along with MeitY and Home Affairs officials, to discuss the regulation of digital platforms. The meeting, scheduled for August 3, will focus on user privacy, public order, and the platforms' role in recent protests.
The Indian government has sought explanations from WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal regarding their username features, citing serious concerns about potential impersonation and cybercrime. IT Secretary S Krishnan highlighted the risks, leading to notices being served to these platforms, with WhatsApp specifically asked to pause its rollout of the feature.
Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18 launched on Sony Liv at 9 pm on August 10 with the stars and producer of Batwara in the hot seat.
The WhatsApp account of the Barwani district collector in Madhya Pradesh was hacked, with fraudsters sending messages to her contacts requesting money.
Cockroach Janta Party convenor Abhijeet Dipke confronted a police sub-inspector assigned to his security detail in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, accusing him of being rude and restricting visitors. Dipke, who has security due to threats, also alleged that state CID personnel were monitoring his residence and reporting via a social media group.
An Indian man, Avinash Narne, has been charged with first-degree murder in the US state of Washington, almost nine months after his wife, Raajitha Sabbineni, was found dead. Prosecutors allege Narne premeditated the strangulation, staged the crime scene, and had a secret romantic relationship with another woman in India, to whom he allegedly sent photos of his wife's body.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking his intervention after she was allegedly forced to vacate a circuit house in Nadia district, claiming harassment and threatening legal action. She reported a crowd shouting 'Jai Shree Ram' slogans outside the premises after her refusal to leave.
Many of them travelled to Delhi in groups or connected with other participants through WhatsApp groups and activist networks. These networks helped them coordinate their travel, decide meeting points and stay in touch during the protest.
The protests changed how we see a generation. It shook us up, broke stereotypes and woke us up to smell the coffee.
India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has sought an explanation from WhatsApp regarding its username feature, citing concerns over potential cybercrime facilitation. Concurrently, the ministry is investigating reported data leak allegations involving Tata Electronics, a key supplier for Apple's iPhone components in India. MeitY is also exploring techno-legal solutions for VPNs to address challenges posed by unregistered providers operating from outside India.
