News for '-whatsapp'

Retired soldier loses Rs 98 lakh during 15-day 'digital arrest'

Retired soldier loses Rs 98 lakh during 15-day 'digital arrest'

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

A retired soldier of Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh has been duped of Rs 98 lakh after being kept under 15 days 'digital arrest' by the fraudsters, officials said on Friday.

Assam student assaulted at MP tribal varsity hostel; 5 booked

Assam student assaulted at MP tribal varsity hostel; 5 booked

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

A postgraduate student from Assam was allegedly assaulted by five peers at Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU) hostel in Madhya Pradesh. The five accused were expelled and booked. The incident follows the death of a student from Tripura in Dehradun, causing national outrage.

India advises nationals to avoid travel to Venezuela

India advises nationals to avoid travel to Venezuela

Rediff.com3 Jan 2026

India has advised its nationals to avoid all non-essential travel to Venezuela following the capture of President Nicols Maduro by the US. The Ministry of External Affairs has also asked Indians in Venezuela to exercise extreme caution and restrict their movements.

SC directs public display of voter discrepancies in Bengal

SC directs public display of voter discrepancies in Bengal

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission to display the names of those on the 'logical discrepancies' list at various public offices in West Bengal, addressing concerns about irregularities in the voter rolls.

SC observations on ED raids a 'serious indictment' of Mamata: BJP

SC observations on ED raids a 'serious indictment' of Mamata: BJP

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

The BJP has criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee following Supreme Court observations regarding obstructions during ED raids at I-PAC premises, alleging abuse of power and shielding of those accused of corruption.

How To Say No To A Clingy, Married Woman

How To Say No To A Clingy, Married Woman

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

Let her know that you are in a happy marriage and you are not comfortable with her behaviour, advises rediffGURU Ravi Mittal.

Concerned about Venezuela: Jaishankar in Europe

Concerned about Venezuela: Jaishankar in Europe

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said India is concerned about the recent developments in Venezuela, marking the first strong public statement after the latest United States actions in the South American country.

Parisa's Unforgettable Pandharpur Pilgrimage

Parisa's Unforgettable Pandharpur Pilgrimage

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

Somewhere between the darshan queue and the fugadi dancing, between ancient stone pillars and the riverfront, my nine-year-daughter found her own understanding of pilgrimage, says Hemantkumar Shivsharan.

Halt 'flawed' SIR or risk mass disenfranchisement, Mamata warns EC

Halt 'flawed' SIR or risk mass disenfranchisement, Mamata warns EC

Rediff.com4 Jan 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has urged the Election Commission to halt the ongoing Special Summary Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state, citing irregularities and potential disenfranchisement.

Will move court on Tuesday against inhuman conduct of SIR: Mamata

Will move court on Tuesday against inhuman conduct of SIR: Mamata

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announces legal action against the Election Commission's electoral roll revision, alleging disenfranchisement and procedural flaws.

'Government Is The Source Of Our Data Leakages'

'Government Is The Source Of Our Data Leakages'

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

'Instead of the government and telecom operators solving the mess of their own creation, they're telling us we need to give access to our phones perpetually.'

UP khap panchayat bans kids from wearing half pants in public

UP khap panchayat bans kids from wearing half pants in public

Rediff.com28 Dec 2025

The panchayat said that boys and girls seen in public places wearing half pants was against social norms, which has a negative impact on society.

WhatsApp brings ads to Channels, Status features

WhatsApp brings ads to Channels, Status features

Rediff.com17 Jun 2025

After the success of bringing businesses to WhatsApp, Meta - its parent - is now introducing ads and subscriptions to Status and Channels under the Updates tab of the messaging app, the company said on Monday. This move will further push its monetisation efforts on WhatsApp.

Delhi riots: SC flags 'planning and mobilisation' role of Khalid, Imam

Delhi riots: SC flags 'planning and mobilisation' role of Khalid, Imam

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

The Supreme Court denied bail to activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case, citing prosecution material suggesting their involvement in planning and strategic direction. The court granted bail to other activists but emphasized the seriousness of the allegations against Khalid and Imam.

Deaf-mute woman breaks 16-year silence, exposes serial sexual predator

Deaf-mute woman breaks 16-year silence, exposes serial sexual predator

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

According to the police, the survivor, a resident of Mumbai's western suburbs, communicated in sign language during a video call with her friends and colleagues, who were part of a WhatsApp group, that the accused had drugged and raped her when she was a minor.

Woman booked for harassing Bengaluru cop with love proposal

Woman booked for harassing Bengaluru cop with love proposal

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

A woman in Bengaluru has been booked for allegedly harassing a police inspector with a love proposal and threatening suicide if he refused. The inspector claims she repeatedly contacted him, sent inappropriate messages, and threatened to use her connections to force him to accept her proposal.

Paid Rs 1.35L Insurance Premium: 'Can I Get It Back?'

Paid Rs 1.35L Insurance Premium: 'Can I Get It Back?'

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

Ask rediffGURU Naveenn Kummar your insurance mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.

Ex-Army man, woman held for sharing sensitive info with Pak

Ex-Army man, woman held for sharing sensitive info with Pak

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

The Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) has arrested a retired Army man and a woman for allegedly sharing sensitive information about military establishments and personnel with Pakistani agents.

SIM-Binding Standoff: Telcos Vs Apps

SIM-Binding Standoff: Telcos Vs Apps

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

App-based communication services providers and Indian telcos are at loggerheads over the SIM-binding directions issued by the department of telecom, which are to be complied with by the end of February 2026.

Duped of Rs 8 crore, ex-IPS officer attempts suicide

Duped of Rs 8 crore, ex-IPS officer attempts suicide

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

Former IPS officer Amar Singh Chahal allegedly shot himself after claiming he was duped of Rs 8.10 crore by cyber thugs. He was one of the accused in the 2015 police firing cases related to anti-sacrilege protests in Faridkot.

Telangana: 80-year-old doctor, family rescued from 3-day digital arrest

Telangana: 80-year-old doctor, family rescued from 3-day digital arrest

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) foiled a digital arrest extortion attempt, rescuing an 80-year-old doctor and his family from cyber fraudsters posing as CBI officials.

Govt makes active SIM link mandatory for messaging apps

Govt makes active SIM link mandatory for messaging apps

Rediff.com30 Nov 2025

The Indian government has directed app-based communication services like WhatsApp and Telegram to ensure continuous linkage to a user's active SIM card to combat cyber fraud. Non-compliance will result in penalties under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

Show us proof: Cong calls Rajnath's Nehru-Babri claim a 'lie'

Show us proof: Cong calls Rajnath's Nehru-Babri claim a 'lie'

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

The Congress party has strongly refuted Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's claim that Jawaharlal Nehru wanted to build the Babri Masjid using public funds, calling it a 'lie' and a 'WhatsApp university story'. Congress leaders have accused Singh of distorting history and distracting from real issues.

Prosus says India as one of its most critical growth markets

Prosus says India as one of its most critical growth markets

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

Prosus, the Amsterdam-based technology investor with net assets valued at over $200 billion spanning payments to e-commerce, has identified India as one of its most critical growth markets, and is increasing its strategic investments here.

Jairam gives Rajnath diary entries to rebut 'Nehru-Babri' claim

Jairam gives Rajnath diary entries to rebut 'Nehru-Babri' claim

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh gave Defence Minister Rajnath Singh diary entries of Vallabhbhai Patel's daughter, disputing claims that Nehru wanted to build the Babri Masjid with public funds.

Journalist Rana Ayyub receives death threats

Journalist Rana Ayyub receives death threats

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

The journalist, a Navi Mumbai resident who writes for the Washington Post, received repeated WhatsApp calls from an unknown international number, identified as 'Harry Shooter Canada', on November 2, an official from Koparkhairne police station said.

The OTT Battle Is For Audiences And Their Time

The OTT Battle Is For Audiences And Their Time

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

Only firms that have scale in content and a technology engine that drives its discovery and monetisation can compete,' explains Vanita Kohli Khandekar.

Digital Scams Are Getting Smarter

Digital Scams Are Getting Smarter

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

'Just like oral hygiene, cyber hygiene must become a daily habit,' says Beena Vaheed, executive director, Bank of Baroda. 'It is not enough to rely only on banks, companies, or the government. Each of us must play our part.'

Govt makes Sanchar Saathi app mandatory on all new handsets

Govt makes Sanchar Saathi app mandatory on all new handsets

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

According to the direction dated November 28, all mobile phones that will be manufactured in India or imported after 90 days from the date of issuing of the order will need to have the app.

Clashes in Odisha village after tribal woman's beheading; internet shut

Clashes in Odisha village after tribal woman's beheading; internet shut

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

Tension grips Malkangiri district in Odisha after a tribal woman was beheaded, leading to clashes and property damage. Internet services are suspended as authorities work to restore peace.

'I'm Married But I Love My Cousin'

'I'm Married But I Love My Cousin'

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

rediffGURU Kanchan Rai, a relationship coach and founder of Let Us Talk Foundation, explains how you can get over the pain by accepting failure and rejection gracefully.

'Every Time I See A Cancer Victim Smile, I Feel A Surge Of Energy'

'Every Time I See A Cancer Victim Smile, I Feel A Surge Of Energy'

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

Meet Zeenath PA, the Kochi social worker whose handmade wigs are helping Cancer survivors reclaim their identity.

Jana Gana Mana was composed to welcome British: BJP MP

Jana Gana Mana was composed to welcome British: BJP MP

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

A controversy has erupted in Karnataka after BJP MP Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri claimed that the country's national anthem was written "to welcome the British official". This statement drew sharp criticism from Congress leader and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge.

Cyclone Ditwah: India steps up relief ops in Sri Lanka; toll rises to 212

Cyclone Ditwah: India steps up relief ops in Sri Lanka; toll rises to 212

Rediff.com30 Nov 2025

Sri Lanka continues relief and rescue efforts with India's assistance after Cyclone Ditwah caused widespread devastation, killing over 190 people and affecting nearly a million.

INDIA bloc on life support, risks being wheeled into 'ICU': Omar

INDIA bloc on life support, risks being wheeled into 'ICU': Omar

Rediff.com6 Dec 2025

Abdullah emphasised the 24x7 model of politics pursued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his team, and said that "no sooner has one election finished, they've already moved into the next territory... We will move into those states two months before the elections. We will be lucky if we sew up our electoral alliances before the last date of filing nominations".

Sanchar Saathi is a 'snooping app': Priyanka

Sanchar Saathi is a 'snooping app': Priyanka

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

With the Department of Telecom asking mobile phone makers to pre-install Sanchar Saathi application in new handsets, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday described it as a 'snooping app' and alleged that the government is turning the country into a dictatorship.

Meta expands safety tools to safeguard older adults from online scams

Meta expands safety tools to safeguard older adults from online scams

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

Meta has announced new anti-scam features and awareness initiatives, including safety tools and tips to protect users, particularly senior citizens from cyber fraud and online scams, as the social media giant stepped up efforts to help people stay safe online.

The Kirana Store That Meant So Much More

The Kirana Store That Meant So Much More

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

It was a shop that we grew up with and one that saw us grow. As children in boarding school, items bought from Krishnaji's store were like living symbols from home.

How India Can Beat Global Tech Giants

How India Can Beat Global Tech Giants

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

With a confident new generation of innovators, India now has the scale and self-belief to shape its own digital destiny marked by creation, observes Ajay Kumar chairman, UPSC.

'India's Misinformation Problem Is Deeply Social'

'India's Misinformation Problem Is Deeply Social'

Rediff.com22 Oct 2025

'It flows through families, caste groups, and local WhatsApp communities where trust is personal.' 'Children are taught to defer to elders, so if a parent or uncle forwards something, you don't question it.'