Month: March 2025

India AdEx set for short-term hit if CCI probe and seizures continue at top ad firms

CCI probe focused on unearthing emails, pricing agreements, internal meeting records, and coordinated rate cards that suggested anti-competitive behavior. (Source: Unsplash)

The Competition Commission of India’s (CCI) probe into advertising firms will lead to a short-term contraction as brands and agencies reevaluate procurement practices and financial governance. The biggest impact may be seen in traditional media, where high-value transactions and bulk media buys are more susceptible to scrutiny, say experts.

Overnight raids and sleepless CEOs: How CCI cornered media giants

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has investigated 35 cartel cases in the last five years, minister of finance and corporate affairs Nirmala Sitharaman told the Lok Sabha on Monday.

Inside the glass-walled offices of these advertising giants, a long and tense night unfolded. CEOs and senior executives were confined to their boardrooms under the watchful eyes of CCI officials.

Public consultation on ‘AI Governance Guidelines Development’ completed, over 100 suggestions received: MeitY

IT Agreement carries a significant impact, particularly regarding trade in IT products, digital industrial policy, and the need for flexibility in applying tariffs to regulate imports.

On March 19, Minister of State for Electronics & IT, Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada, addressed the Lok Sabha regarding “liabilities arising from AI usage” and reiterated the establishment of advisory group to develop an India-specific regulatory framework for AI.

Taboola and Microsoft strengthen 10-year ad partnership, expands to Outlook Mail and Office 365

This deepened collaboration reflects the growing influence of Taboola's AI-powered technology, which is designed to enhance monetization and user engagement across digital platforms, such as websites, devices, and mobile apps.

With this expansion, Taboola’s AI-powered advertising solutions will provide advertisers with the ability to connect with nearly 600 million daily active users in brand-safe environments.

TRAI responds to DoT’s back-reference on regulator’s recommendations on ‘Definition of International Traffic’

Held at TRAI's headquarters in New Delhi, the meeting deliberated issues including dealing with unsolicited commercial communication (UCC) / spam and fraudulent communications.

In February, Department of Telecommunications (DoT) sought clarification from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in respect of International SMSs.