News for 'ministry of Information and Technology'

CBI files case against Cambridge Analytica for Facebook data theft

CBI files case against Cambridge Analytica for Facebook data theft

Rediff.com22 Jan 2021

Facebook had collected certificates from both the firms in 2016-17 that data collected by them using "thisisyourdigitallife" was accounted for and destroyed.

Govt's media accreditation policy introduces morality, national security clause

Govt's media accreditation policy introduces morality, national security clause

Rediff.com8 Feb 2022

Journalists acting in a manner prejudicial to the country's "security, sovereignty and integrity" as well as "public order, decency or morality" will lose their government accreditation, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has said in its new guidelines.

IIITs hit stumbling block

IIITs hit stumbling block

Rediff.com16 Dec 2008

Around 8 IT firms have withdrawn from partnering 11 out of the 20 IIITs, says govt.

Leaked CoWIN data is from past breach, no direct theft, claims govt

Leaked CoWIN data is from past breach, no direct theft, claims govt

Rediff.com12 Jun 2023

While asserting that the CoWIN portal is completely safe with adequate safeguards for data privacy, it said an internal exercise has been initiated to review the existing security measures of CoWIN.

IT hardware players seek more exemption

IT hardware players seek more exemption

Rediff.com21 Feb 2013

The Manufacturers'Association for Information Technology has presented a memorandum to the ministry of finance, for growth-oriented measures to boost domestic manufacturing.

'Promotes gang-rape culture': Twitter, YouTube asked to pull down perfume ad

'Promotes gang-rape culture': Twitter, YouTube asked to pull down perfume ad

Rediff.com4 Jun 2022

The videos of the perfume brand Layer Shot sparked outrage among a large section of social media users, who claimed the advertisement sought to promote sexual violence against women.

Goyal given additional charge of FinMin, Irani loses I&B portfolio

Goyal given additional charge of FinMin, Irani loses I&B portfolio

Rediff.com14 May 2018

Irani's deputy in the I&B ministry Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has been given the charge of the key portfolio.

Govt finalising new IT rules for social media

Govt finalising new IT rules for social media

Rediff.com21 Nov 2019

The proposed new norms include deployment of technology-based automated tools or appropriate mechanisms for proactively identifying and removing or disabling public access to unlawful information or content, minister of state for electronics and IT Sanjay Dhotre said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

Govt tweaks licensing norms for laptop, computer imports

Govt tweaks licensing norms for laptop, computer imports

Rediff.com19 Oct 2023

The government on Thursday tweaked curbs on imports of laptops and computers as it allowed importers to bring in shipments of IT hardware from overseas on a mere 'authorisation' upon detailing quantity and value. The new 'import management system' is aimed at monitoring shipments of laptops, tablets and computers into the country without hurting market supply or creating a cumbersome licensing regime. The announcement is likely to provide relief to companies in the IT hardware segment in India as they had flagged concerns over the imposition of a strict licensing regime for importers.

Dom's Take: Who created Aarogya Setu?

Dom's Take: Who created Aarogya Setu?

Rediff.com29 Oct 2020

Dominic Xavier wonders why two government departments say they have no idea about who created the Aarogya Sethu app.

National Film Awards named after Indira Gandhi, Nargis renamed

National Film Awards named after Indira Gandhi, Nargis renamed

Rediff.com14 Feb 2024

The 'Indira Gandhi award for best debut film' and the 'Nargis Dutt award for best feature film on national integration' have been retitled with the names of the late prime minister and legendary actor being dropped as part of a raft of changes for the National Film Awards, according to a notification.

Parliamentary panel will question govt officials on Pegasus: Tharoor

Parliamentary panel will question govt officials on Pegasus: Tharoor

Rediff.com27 Jul 2021

The parliamentary panel on information technology will question government officials on allegations relating to suspected phone tapping of politicians, journalists and others using Pegasus spyware, the committee chairman and senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said on Tuesday, and asserted that it is the "most important issue" for many members.

Govt mulls using FB, Twitter to know public views on decision

Govt mulls using FB, Twitter to know public views on decision

Rediff.com23 Sep 2011

With social networking sites Facebook and Twitter getting popular among masses, the Centre is creating a framework for "Citizen Engagement" to use social media for eliciting public views, an official said on Friday.

Chandigarh gets Web Ratna Award

Chandigarh gets Web Ratna Award

Rediff.com9 Apr 2010

These awards had been constituted by the ministry of communications and information technology, government of India for the first time in order to acknowledge exemplary initiatives/practices of various states/UTs in the realm of e-governance for the dissemination of information and services to the citizens.

Google executive warns against sharing of citizen data

Google executive warns against sharing of citizen data

Rediff.com23 Jun 2022

Google's chief privacy officer, Keith Enright, has warned policymakers that frequent and large-scale sharing of citizen data, even if anonymized, can damage users' privacy. Pointing to research that shows data sets lose their anonymity if shared consistently over time, he said: "I would encourage policymakers and companies to be extremely circumspect while proceeding in that direction." Anonymization is a technique that removes or modifies personally identifiable information, resulting in data that cannot be associated with any one individual.

Pradip Tripathi moves to Cabinet Secretariat as govt effects major bureaucratic rejig

Pradip Tripathi moves to Cabinet Secretariat as govt effects major bureaucratic rejig

Rediff.com2 May 2022

Senior bureaucrat Pradip Kumar Tripathi has been appointed as secretary (coordination) in the Cabinet Secretariat as part of a major bureaucratic reshuffle effected by the Centre on Monday.

HC seeks Centre's reply on plea challenging new digital media rules

HC seeks Centre's reply on plea challenging new digital media rules

Rediff.com9 Mar 2021

The Delhi high court on Tuesday sought the Centre's response on a plea challenging the new Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which seeks to regulate digital news media.

Civilian deaths in Israel-Hamas war concerning: India at UNSC

Civilian deaths in Israel-Hamas war concerning: India at UNSC

Rediff.com25 Oct 2023

India has voiced deep concern over the deteriorating security situation and large-scale loss of civilian life in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, urging the parties to work towards creating conditions necessary for peace and restarting direct negotiations through de-escalation and ending violence.

BJP MP demands Tharoor's removal as head of Parl panel on IT

BJP MP demands Tharoor's removal as head of Parl panel on IT

Rediff.com28 Jul 2021

Dubey demanded the removal of Tharoor, alleging that he was using his position in a discriminatory manner.

In praise of the bureaucrat

In praise of the bureaucrat

Rediff.com16 Dec 2020

Does IAS officers' work go unappreciated, asks Ajit Balakrishnan.

India's Nuclear Churning: From Idealism To Realism

India's Nuclear Churning: From Idealism To Realism

Rediff.com11 May 2024

Although the credit for acquiring the technological skill must be given to India's outstanding nuclear scientists, the decision to go nuclear was a political one that entailed clarity of vision, courage and resolve, points out Rup Narayan Das.

DoP aims to turn banker

DoP aims to turn banker

Rediff.com18 Jun 2007

The department of post is planning to offer banking services by starting a full-fledged bank, to be named Post Bank of India.

From Dixon to Lava, Indian firms in JV talks with Chinese players

From Dixon to Lava, Indian firms in JV talks with Chinese players

Rediff.com11 Nov 2022

Home-grown companies, including electronics manufacturing services (EMS) firm Dixon Technologies and mobile device maker Lava International, have started exploratory talks with Chinese sub-assemblies and component players for setting up joint ventures (JVs) in the country. Sources in the industry say many domestic companies have also had preliminary discussions with original design manufacturers (ODMs) in China to look at a JV model for manufacturing smartphones. Key ODM players in mobile devices in China include Longcheer, Huaqin, and Wingtech, which has already set up a plant in Tirupati.

India Issues Notice to Wikipedia Over False Arshdeep Link

India Issues Notice to Wikipedia Over False Arshdeep Link

Rediff.com5 Sep 2022

Arshdeep Singh has incurred the wrath of social media users since Sunday when he dropped a catch in the closing stages of a tense India-Pakistan match.

VSNL likely to set up Rs 2000 cr SEZ in Delhi

VSNL likely to set up Rs 2000 cr SEZ in Delhi

Rediff.com18 Jan 2007

VSNL intends to set up the unit through its wholly owned subsidiary, VSNL Global Services.

Centre may hire US, Israel firms for terror intel

Centre may hire US, Israel firms for terror intel

Rediff.com10 Jan 2016

The government also wants to ensure that content meant for radicalising youths, from outfits like Islamic State, doesn't find circulation in India.

Shah, Sitharaman stand tall among ministers

Shah, Sitharaman stand tall among ministers

Rediff.com22 Jul 2021

Strengthening the portfolios of the home minister and the finance minister is a message that should not be missed, points out A K Bhattacharya.

Data protection: Joint Parliamentary panel summons FB, Twitter

Data protection: Joint Parliamentary panel summons FB, Twitter

Rediff.com22 Oct 2020

Representatives of Facebook India have been asked to appear on Friday before the Joint Committee on the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019, chaired by Bharatiya Janata Party MP Meenakshi Lekhi, while Twitter officials are required to appear before the panel on October 28, as per the notice issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat.

Ministry urges stricter BIS norms on water

Ministry urges stricter BIS norms on water

Rediff.com7 Mar 2003

The science and technology ministry has written to the prime minister suggesting that the BIS standards for packaged water 'be set up into more precisely defined and quantitative standards,' the Rajya Sabha was informed on Friday.

New data protection bill to be introduced in monsoon session, govt tells SC

New data protection bill to be introduced in monsoon session, govt tells SC

Rediff.com11 Apr 2023

The Centre told the Supreme Court on Tuesday a new data protection bill is ready and will be introduced in the monsoon session of Parliament in July, as the apex court heard a matter related to privacy concerns of social media users.

Par panel pulls up DoT on internet shutdowns

Par panel pulls up DoT on internet shutdowns

Rediff.com9 Feb 2023

Expressing concern over frequent internet shutdown without any empirical study, a Parliamentary panel has pulled up the Department of Telecommunications for not maintaining the record of incidents and inaction on several of its recommendations. The Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology on 'Suspension of Telecom Services and Internet and its impact' tabled in Lok Sabha on Thursday, the panel has asked the Department of Telecom (DoT) to lay down a clear cut principle of proportionality and procedure for lifting of shutdown in coordination with the home ministry to prevent any misuse of the suspension rules. The panel rejected the logic of the DoT and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for not maintaining the record of the shutdown, saying it cannot simply take the plea that police and public order are essentially state subjects and suspension of the internet does not actually come under the ambit of crimes.

Parliamentary panel sees red as India has no record of internet shutdown

Parliamentary panel sees red as India has no record of internet shutdown

Rediff.com9 Feb 2023

Expressing concern over frequent internet shutdown without any empirical study, a parliamentary panel has pulled up the department of telecommunications for not maintaining the record of incidents and inaction on several of its recommendations.

On day of Musk's Twitter takeover, govt amends social media grievance rules

On day of Musk's Twitter takeover, govt amends social media grievance rules

Rediff.com28 Oct 2022

The government on Friday tweaked IT rules to pave the way for setting up of grievance appellate panels, which will settle issues that users may have against the way social media platforms initially addressed their complaints regarding content and other matters.

Govt urged to remove fake messages on social media linking COVID-19 to 5G

Govt urged to remove fake messages on social media linking COVID-19 to 5G

Rediff.com18 May 2021

Telecom industry body COAI has approached the information technology ministry for removal of fake and misleading messages from social media platforms like Facebook, Whatsapp and Twitter linking spread of COVID-19 to 5G technology. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), whose members include Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea, said the claims linking 5G with coronavirus are baseless as 5G networks have not yet been installed in the country and even 5G trials are yet to be started by the telecom operators. In a letter dated May 15 to MeitY additional secretary Rajendra Kumar, COAI director general S P Kochhar said: "To safeguard the national interest, we request your good office to kindly instruct all the social media platforms such as Facebook, Watsapp, Twitter, etc, to remove all such posts and misleading campaigns from their platforms on an urgent basis." People have been sharing audio and video messages on social media platforms in which 5G towers are being blamed for rise in casualties across the country even though none of the companies have installed 5G technology anywhere in India.

Several Pak agencies using Israel's intrusive cyber tech since 2012: Report

Several Pak agencies using Israel's intrusive cyber tech since 2012: Report

Rediff.com3 Aug 2023

Unlike Israeli company NSO, whose sale of Pegasus cyber tech grabbed worldwide attention, and other manufacturers of offensive-cyber products, Cellebrite operates in a grey area between security exports and civilian ones.

Mastermind of Chinese shell firms arrested

Mastermind of Chinese shell firms arrested

Rediff.com12 Sep 2022

The Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) has arrested a person who the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) said has emerged as the mastermind of the racket of incorporating a large number of shell companies with Chinese links in India.

Could have done more: WhatsApp on snooping row

Could have done more: WhatsApp on snooping row

Rediff.com20 Nov 2019

In a communication to the ministry of electronics and information technology, the messaging service said it was committed to protecting the privacy of its over 400 million users in India.

Bill for greater empowerment to IIITs soon

Bill for greater empowerment to IIITs soon

Rediff.com8 Feb 2010

"The Centre is planning to bring the Indian Institutes of Information Technology Bill, 2010 in the Parliament," director of IIIT-Allahabad M D Tiwari told PTI in Allahabad. He said a meeting to discuss the final draft of the bill was held in New Delhi last week in which top officials of the Union HRD ministry and directors of four IIITs took part.

Satyam granted 1-yr extension to complete SEZs

Satyam granted 1-yr extension to complete SEZs

Rediff.com15 Jun 2009

All the three tax-free enclaves were given formal approval, which would have lapsed by end of this month. While the ministry granted extension of time 'on file', the decision has to be ratified by the inter-ministerial Board of Approval which is meeting here on June 17.