App stores, brands, influencers and fake reviews: AI-generated ratings and fake reviews on app stores are cause for concern

Prashant Puri, CEO & co-founder of AdLift, acknowledges the issue, stating, "Fake reviews are a disaster waiting to happen. Both Google Play and the App Store rely on user engagement signals like ratings, reviews, downloads, and retention to rank apps. A sudden surge of five-star reviews can push an app higher, but if not backed by real engagement, the boost is temporary. Google and Apple’s detection systems aren’t perfect, but they are improving, and manipulated reviews eventually get flagged." (Representative Image: Bernard Hermant via Unsplash)

Calling out the fake reviews, Zerodha’s Nithin Kamath said, “I wonder how many Google India Play Store and Apple App Store reviews are genuine. I was going through Zerodha’s reviews and compared them with those of other financial services apps in India. Most of the 5-star reviews seem fake — many even read like AI-generated content.”

Ranveer Allahbadia row: Are AI or virtual influencers the answer to avoiding scandals and controversies?

Amid Ranveer Allahbadia's controversy, can virtual influencers become the new face of marketing for brands? (From left to right: Kyla (virtual influencer), Ranveer Allahbadia, Naina Avtr (virtual influencer))

Brands could increasingly swap scandal-prone humans for AI influencers who never mess up, demand pay raises, or tweet something regrettable at 3 a.m.

Storyboard18 DNPA Conclave 2025: MIB Secretary Sanjay Jaju to discuss vision for India’s media transformation

"Govt is looking at a range of regulatory reforms which will allow for modernisation, inclusivity and fair play in the industry," said Sanjay Jaju at Storyboard18 DNPA Conclave 2025, in New Delhi on February 27.

Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the MIB, will detail the government’s initiatives to empower both digital and traditional media. His address will emphasize efforts to support sustainable industry growth, drive innovation, and enable new monetization models in an AI-driven media landscape.

Storyboard18 DNPA Conclave 2025: MEITY’s Abhishek Singh to share views on future-ready digital ecosystems

The session will also emphasize AI literacy and digital upskilling, ensuring that media professionals are equipped to leverage AI for content generation, audience engagement, and data security.

As India positions itself at the forefront of AI-driven media innovation, Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, will offer insights into the intersection of AI, journalism, and governance. His address at the Storyboard18 DNPA Conclave is expected to reinforce India’s commitment to a responsible, future-ready digital ecosystem.

Storyboard18 DNPA Conclave 2025: Industry leaders to discuss on AI-powered fact-checking in news

With AI-driven tools becoming indispensable in newsrooms, this session will provide key insights into how technology can help combat misinformation while maintaining public trust in the media. (Photo: Unsplash)

At the upcoming Storyboard18 DNPA Conclave 2025, a distinguished panel of media and technology executives will explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence in news verification. As AI-driven tools become increasingly integral to journalism, the discussion will examine their potential to enhance accuracy while addressing concerns over bias, transparency, and ethical implementation.

Maharashtra cyber cell calls Rakhi Sawant amid ‘India’s Got Latent’ row

While Sawant was not part of the panel in the episode featuring Ranveer Allahbadia, she has previously appeared as a guest on the show, which is created by comedian Samay Raina.

On 18 February, the Supreme Court granted Allahbadia interim protection from arrest but criticised him for his “dirty and perverted” comments.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s YouTube channel streams Premier Padel P1 finals

With over a billion followers across his various social media accounts, Ronaldo remains the most-followed athlete in the world. (Image sourced via Forbes)

The Portuguese football icon, who boasts nearly 74 million subscribers on YouTube, is providing coverage of the semi-finals and finals to audiences in more than 130 countries worldwide.