ASCI Academy releases white paper on navigating cookies in the age of DPDPA

Advertisers use cookies to gather data on user behaviour, preferences, and browsing history to deliver targeted ads that drive higher engagement and better ROI.

The paper provides actionable insights on crafting an effective cookie policy to help stakeholders navigate the complexities of consent, transparency, and user control in an increasingly privacy-conscious world.

Microsoft in talks to acquire TikTok: Donald Trump

Neither TikTok nor ByteDance has commented on the situation outside regular business hours.

Trump, who previously advocated for a full ban on TikTok, reversed his stance last year, claiming that the app helped him connect with younger voters during the 2024 presidential election.

Budget 2025: Startups seek policies to encourage local breakthroughs, make India global AI hub

The startup sector has also sought focused policies for blockchain adoption, Web3 innovation, and crypto investments, including revisiting the 30% tax and 1% TDS, given their global relevance.

For startups to scale quickly and efficiently, the sector emphasises streamlining the GST structure for digital platforms, simplifying regulatory processes, tax relief, foreign funds, AI-focused policies and enhanced support for intellectual property rights.

AI Chatbot to simplify navigation and services at Mahakumbh 2025

With NCH’s AI-driven, sector-specific analysis, these convergence partners can now act more effectively and efficiently in resolving consumer issues, thereby enhancing consumer trust and satisfaction.

The new chatbot will offer accurate details on parking, food courts and hospitals within one kilometer radius of the user.

India leads global mobile app market in downloads and usage

Mobile users worldwide spent an astounding 4.2 trillion hours on apps across iOS and Google Play in 2024, equating to roughly 3.5 hours per user daily

Social apps continued to dominate consumer attention, with 3 trillion hours spent globally on social media and messaging apps in 2024 — up 6% from the 2.8 trillion hours recorded in 2023.

Opinion trading apps, games now under MeitY’s scanner

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) published a report on 'AI Governance Guidelines Development' for public consultation on January 6, 2025.

Globally, in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, opinion trading apps and websites are classified as wagering platforms and are regulated.

DPDP Rules: India’s new data protection rules will set global standards, says Ashwini Vaishnaw

Highlighting the sector's growth, Vaishnaw noted that the media and entertainment (M&E) industry expanded by over 8% in 2023, with 70% of this growth attributed to new media.

Ashwini Vaishnaw argues that India’s Digital Personal Data Protection framework offers a flexible, innovation-friendly alternative to the EU’s GDPR, with global implications for data governance.