Author: Akanksha Nagar

WAVES, IICT to further strengthen Mumbai’s role as key centre in global creative ecosystem: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Speaking at WAVES 2025, Vaishnaw emphasised the role of technology in democratising content creation and reshaping how audiences consume media.

In his opening remarks at WAVES 2025, the Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared that leading global technology companies including Nvidia, Google, Apple, Microsoft, Adobe will collaborate to build the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) in Mumbai into a world-class institution that equips young creators with the skills and tools for the future.

DoT halts Blinkit-Airtel SIM home delivery over KYC compliance concerns

For the Blinkit tie-up, Airtel had announced Aadhaar-based KYC authentication as the mode for activation.

Last month, Bharti Airtel partnered with quick-commerce platform Blinkit to offer rapid SIM card home delivery, where customers could receive new SIM within 10 minutes for a nominal fee of Rs 49, with activation facilitated through Aadhaar-based e-KYC. ​

Digital access is a right: SC orders KYC reforms for persons with disabilities

The debate also touched on taxation under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework. Venkatraman emphasized that there is no distinction between skill and chance when it comes to GST levies.

SC has asked the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to ensure that customer due diligence and onboarding processes incorporate video-based KYC methods, without requiring eye-blinking verification, in accordance with the 2016 KYC rules.

DOOH emerges as new growth engine for state advertising revenues

By embracing DOOH, state governments are tapping into a rapidly growing advertising medium that offers dynamic, data-driven content delivery, greater ROI for brands, and significantly better monetisation for municipalities.

With states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Goa overhauling their outdoor advertising frameworks, Digital Out-of-Home is poised to not only modernise public spaces but also significantly increase ad revenues for the states.

FSSAI challenges Dabur’s ‘100% Juice’ claim in Delhi High Court

In June 2024, FSSAI issued a directive to all Food Business Operators (FBOs) to remove "100% fruit juice" claims from labels and advertisements of reconstituted fruit juices.

According to FSSAI, such claims are misleading, especially when the juice is reconstituted from concentrates with added water, rather than being made from pure, undiluted fruit juice.

SC upholds validity of Pecuniary Jurisdiction clauses in Consumer Protection Act, 2019

The debate also touched on taxation under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework. Venkatraman emphasized that there is no distinction between skill and chance when it comes to GST levies.

The jurisdiction of consumer forums is to be determined based solely on the value of goods or services paid as consideration, rather than the value of goods or services and the compensation claimed, as was the practice under the 1986 Act.

COAI welcomes TRAI push to curb spam on OTT communication apps

OTT communication apps, including WhatsApp and Telegram, are facing pressure from telcos and advertisers over spam-related risks.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India convened with the Joint Committee of Regulators (JCoR) in a high-level meeting on April 25, where measures to counter fraudulent communication and the problem of Digital Arrest scams were discussed, alongside measures to deal with unsolicited commercial communication on OTTs.

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Govt, industry align on ‘Accessibility Standards’ for OTTs; finalisation of draft guidelines in works

Last year, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) released guidelines for ‘Accessibility Standards in the Public Exhibition of Feature Films in Cinema Theatres’ catering to individuals with hearing and visual impairment. (Image source: Charles Deluvio, Unsplash)

The government is drawing inspiration from international best practices such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines to draft the accessibility standards for OTTs and is currently consulting with major platforms including Meta, Google, Amazon, and Netflix.

ASCI’s relaxed rules spark fee surge; ‘qualified’ health, finance influencers to charge 30% more

ASCI released an update to its Influencer Advertising Guidelines for health and finance influencers on April 28.

Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI)’s decision to waive professional qualification requirements for financial and health influencers sharing general information may open doors for new creators, but it also raises concerns about misinformation and market credibility.

SC backs govt’s right to use Pegasus, but cautions against civil society surveillance

The debate also touched on taxation under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework. Venkatraman emphasized that there is no distinction between skill and chance when it comes to GST levies.

The Supreme Court said it may consider releasing the Expert Committee report on Pegasus, but cautioned that it “should not become a matter of discussion on the street.” The Centre earlier stated that disclosure of the report could adversely impact national security and the sovereignty of the country.