A mature democracy like India has to decide who rules the country -- whether the people of India with their votes or Mark Zuckerberg and other social media moguls through their algorithms, asserts Dr Ashwani Mahajan.
The WhatsApp service will enable subscribers to check their PF balance, latest five transactions and passbook information.
The Supreme Court of India has directed WhatsApp and other intermediaries to propose measures against digital arrest scams and cybercrimes. Simultaneously, the court emphasized that financial institutions, including banks, must be held accountable and compensate victims for losses due to their failure in exercising due diligence. The RBI has been asked to submit a list of authorized financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies are to report on FIRs and suggest prevention strategies.
A retired Indian Army captain, Babu P, has been arrested in Vellore for allegedly leaking confidential military secrets to an unidentified woman via WhatsApp. The woman reportedly posed as a DRDO project worker and engaged in personal conversations to extract sensitive information.
Delhi Police have arrested two individuals for their alleged involvement in a cyber fraud where a scammer impersonated a hotel's managing director on WhatsApp, duping its finance manager of Rs 50 lakh. The police successfully secured the entire cheated amount and prevented a further attempted transfer of Rs 48 lakh. The investigation led to arrests in Maharashtra, with the accused revealing details about their operation.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar warned that replying 'NO' to unsolicited WhatsApp messages regarding unauthorised bank debits could allow fraudsters to steal your money without needing an OTP or a link.
A Delhi court has permitted the prosecution to record the testimonies of four foreign-based nodal officers from WhatsApp, Google, and Bumble via video conferencing in the Shraddha Walkar murder case. This decision aims to prevent undue delays and exorbitant expenses associated with securing their physical presence, facilitating an expeditious trial. The testimonies are scheduled to begin in December 2026, with specific protocols for identity verification and secure proceedings.
Maharashtra's Chief Electoral Officer has allowed voter documents via WhatsApp for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, with Block Level Officers (BLOs) conducting home verifications. This development comes amidst controversy surrounding the Election Commission and its Chief, Gyanesh Kumar, over alleged unilateral decisions regarding the SIR, which opposition parties claim dilute the powers of Electoral Registration Officers. The deadline for claims and objections has been extended to October 12.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced a cabinet expansion and reshuffle for early next week, urging party members not to lobby for positions as the list is finalised. He also discussed various issues with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, including the LG's health, the National Dental Commission Act, and the plight of Kashmiri pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia due to flight cancellations and high airfares. Abdullah also declined to comment on LAC patrolling, stating it's outside J&K's purview post-Ladakh's separation.
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.
A man named Shahid Akhtar has been arrested in Purnea, Bihar, for allegedly sharing sensitive information with suspected handlers in India and abroad via WhatsApp. The Intelligence Bureau, local police, NIA, and Bihar STF are investigating his suspected links to an Islamic radical group and networks in neighbouring countries like Pakistan.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha has filed a complaint against former archer Dola Banerjee, alleging a violation of the Model Code of Conduct during the Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) elections. Usha's complaint centres on a WhatsApp message circulated by Banerjee, which she claims solicited votes for a specific panel, breaching election rules.
A 65-year-old man in Kannur lost Rs 2.69 lakh to cyber fraudsters who hacked his mobile phone during a WhatsApp video call while he was attempting to return online-purchased footwear. Police have registered a case and identified the recipient accounts.
Delhi AAP MLA Jarnail Singh has filed a complaint with Mohali police after receiving a death threat message targeting party leader Arvind Kejriwal and his daughter, demanding Rs 7 crore. The caller, claiming to be from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, made the threat on November 6. Police have registered a case and are investigating.
A 70-year-old man from Bhiwandi was defrauded of Rs 1.29 crore by cyber criminals who lured him with promises of high returns on share investments through a WhatsApp group and a fake trading app. He lost his money after being unable to withdraw funds and being asked for more deposits, leading him to file a police complaint.
A staffer at the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) in Pune has been booked under the Official Secrets Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for allegedly leaking a 'Work Assistant' recruitment examination paper. The vigilance department of TIFR received a tip-off in June 2026, leading to an investigation that confirmed the leaked paper matched the original, and an offence was registered on Monday.
A 22-year-old man from Jharkhand was arrested for allegedly defrauding a Lucknow resident of nearly Rs 32 lakh. The fraud involved sending a malware-infected APK file via WhatsApp, disguised as a Green Gas meter update, to gain access to the victim's banking details. Police recovered cash, mobile phones, ATM cards, and SIM cards from the accused. This scam has seen multiple complaints in Lucknow recently.
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.
Congress MLA Ramya Haridas was involved in a scuffle with local party workers in Chirayinkeezhu, Thiruvananthapuram, leading to injuries and police cases. Both Haridas and the party workers, including district panchayat member Sajith Muttambalam and leader Sajad, have filed complaints, each presenting a different account of the incident which reportedly stemmed from a dispute over a WhatsApp post and the role of Haridas' staff member.
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.
Two individuals were arrested in Bihar's East Champaran district for cyber fraud and alleged connections to Pakistani contacts, following a raid that uncovered suspicious mobile communications and financial transactions.
A young doctor, Abhijit Sarkar, was found dead in his hostel room in Kolkata, with police reporting he had posted a cryptic WhatsApp status. His family has rejected suicide, filing a police complaint alleging murder and citing his recent social media posts about feeling unsafe. An investigation is underway, examining his phone and awaiting the post-mortem report.
A digital media operator in Dombivli, Thane, has been booked for allegedly extorting money from bar owners. He threatened to publish fake defamatory news on social media unless paid hush money. One bar manager reported paying Rs 25,000 after being threatened with a defamatory WhatsApp link. Police investigation revealed multiple similar incidents, but no arrest has been made yet.
Faridabad police have arrested two men and a woman from Ghaziabad for allegedly defrauding a man of Rs 89,750. The victim was lured with a fake 'playboy job' offer via Facebook and WhatsApp, leading to multiple transactions. The accused were arrested on Tuesday and remanded to judicial custody.
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.
Nuh police have arrested three alleged cyber fraudsters involved in fraudulent Rapido bookings and scams related to buying old coins. Mobile phones and SIM cards were recovered from their possession, and two separate cases have been registered.
Former India sprinter Ashwini Nachappa claimed she withdrew from the Indian Olympic Association's Sportspersons of Merit (SOMs) elections due to "external pressure," raising concerns about transparency. Her withdrawal, along with others, occurred just before the virtual elections, which also saw complaints of code of conduct violations against Dola Banerjee and alleged misuse of IOA resources.
PT Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association, failed to secure a spot as a Sportsperson of Merit (SOM) in a recent controversial election, while Saina Nehwal and other prominent athletes were elected. This outcome impacts Usha's eligibility for the upcoming IOA Executive Council polls on December 5, as complaints of alleged Model Code of Conduct violations have also surfaced.
Delhi Police arrested a 33-year-old man, Noushad, in connection with an alleged 'boss impersonation' cyber fraud where Rs 80 lakh was fraudulently transferred from an educational institution's bank account. The entire cheated amount has been secured, and further investigation is underway to identify other suspects.
Jhalawar Police have dismantled an interstate syndicate that used AI tools and digital arrest traps to extort money, leading to the suicide of a 56-year-old woman. Six individuals, including four women from Bihar, have been apprehended, and three minors detained, following an extensive investigation that traced the gang 1,500 km away.
Jhalawar Police have dismantled an interstate syndicate that used AI tools and digital arrest scams to extort money, leading to the suicide of a 56-year-old woman. Six individuals, including four women, were arrested from Bihar, and three minors were detained in connection with the case. The gang lured victims with fake old-coin trading schemes and employed psychological torture, including AI-generated threatening videos, to coerce them.
A social worker in Ulhasnagar, Thane, was allegedly defrauded of Rs 2.5 lakh by a caller impersonating an Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) officer. The caller threatened the victim with terror links and an arrest warrant, coercing him into transferring money. Police have registered a case against three individuals, and an investigation is ongoing.
A retired accounts officer in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, was allegedly defrauded of Rs 78 lakh by cyber fraudsters posing as CBI and IB officials. The fraudsters threatened him with 'digital arrest' and money laundering charges, coercing him into transferring funds from his bank accounts and selling property. An FIR has been registered, and police teams are investigating the case.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has rejected the bail plea of former district judge Giribala Singh, who is implicated in the alleged suicide of her daughter-in-law, Twisha Sharma. The court cited ongoing investigations, pending forensic reports, and the gravity of the allegations, including abetment to suicide and dowry harassment, as reasons for its decision.
A man in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, has been booked for allegedly sharing objectionable photographs and videos of a 19-year-old married woman with her husband on Instagram. The accused, who knew the woman before her marriage, reportedly recorded the content during a WhatsApp video call in May 2024.
Investigators have seized Rs 35 lakh in cash, believed to be proceeds from illegal liquor smuggling, following the interrogation of the main accused in the murder of a police officer in Madhya Pradesh's Dewas district. The officer was crushed to death while trying to stop an interstate liquor smuggling operation last week. Eight people have been arrested in connection with the case.
'Observe the person and don't invest emotionally just yet,' recommends rediffGURU Shalini Singh.
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.
Mumbai police have busted an interstate cyber-fraud gang, arresting six individuals and uncovering a nationwide racket involving 255 complaints and approximately Rs 72 crore in fraudulent transactions. The investigation began after an accountant reported a Rs 10 lakh fraud.
A 41-year-old man from Mangaluru, employed in Israel, has been missing since October 16, prompting his family to seek urgent intervention from the Indian embassy in Tel Aviv and Israeli police.
