DATA PRIVACY LAW
US airlines may face fresh scrutiny as Democrats plan probes into pricing and passenger rights
Following a significant midterm election victory, Democrats intend to scrutinize airlines regarding personalized pricing practices and passenger protection rules. The Federal Trade Commission has requested information from major airlines about the influence of personal data on pricing. Congress plans to revive protections that were previously withdrawn, including compensation for travel disruptions. Legislators are also exploring requirements for transparency in ticket pricing and additional passenger rights.
US judge blocks Trump administration plan to flag suspected noncitizen voters
A US District Judge has ruled against the Trump administration's plans to tackle noncitizen voting. This ruling aims to protect eligible voters potentially affected by the administration's actions. The administration had been pressured to provide states with lists containing suspected noncitizen voters. Various legal setbacks have challenged these efforts before the upcoming midterm elections. The Justice Department's aggressive tactics have faced considerable opposition in the courts recently.
Hospital balance sheet: How AI could cut costs and improve efficiency
As hospitals grapple with soaring costs in drugs, supplies, and labor, the integration of AI emerges as a vital necessity.
See data centres less as energy-sucking private warehouses, and more as quasi-public utilities
We need data centres. They run far more than ChatGPT. Search, banking, streaming, social networks, cloud software, government services, hospitals and almost every company's digital operations depend on them. AI simply raises the requirement dramatically. Google says its Vizag hub will provide new subsea connectivity for India. IEA says electricity use by AI-focused data centres jumped 50% in 2025. A country without serious compute infrastructure risks becoming a consumer, rather than a producer, of the AI revolution.
Cyberattacks hit NBFCs; Pine Labs Q2 profit zooms
Cyber criminals are targetting smaller NBFCs with specialised AI toolkits. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
Australia's new biometric rule for Indian visa applicants: Who will have to comply? High Commission clarifies
Australian High Commission in India has exclusively mentioned that Australia’s expanded biometric requirements will cover most temporary and permanent visa applicants in India, including visitor, student, skilled-worker and permanent-migration applicants, while the requirement will be determined by individual circumstances; Indian officials travelling on official business are exempt.
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Who guards India’s digital gatekeepers?
India has built effective digital systems that facilitate money transfer and identity verification across its diverse population. However, there are ongoing challenges regarding accountability and transparency in government digital platforms. Many argue that mechanisms like competition law may not be suitable for all government services.
India is addressing Wall Street’s favourite ‘elephant’ in the room to its own advantage
The Indian government has identified 762 potential applications of artificial intelligence across 62 ministries and departments, spanning farming, railway safety, tax compliance, public grievances, customs and healthcare. While some tools are already in use, others remain in pilot or development stages.
Visa rules deter 43% of air travellers as immigration complexity becomes a barrier: IATA Global Passenger Survey 2026
International travel is facing challenges due to increasingly complex immigration requirements affecting passenger behaviour. The International Air Transport Association's survey reveals that many passengers are discouraged from travelling because of these complexities. Additionally, passengers show a preference for completing immigration procedures digitally before travelling to avoid delays. Concerns about personal data privacy persist despite the growing acceptance of digital travel solutions.
Government open to media suggestions on Digital Personal Data Protection Act, promises to uphold press freedom
The Government of India is willing to consider suggestions from news organisations about the Digital Personal Data Protection Act. Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that journalistic freedom is guaranteed by the Constitution and will not be affected. Concerns have been raised about the Act's provisions potentially infringing on press freedom and the Right to Information Act. The Digital News Publishers Association argues for exemptions for journalism activities within the DPDP Act.
Centre open to changes in DPDP law to protect press freedom, says Ashwini Vaishnaw
The Centre aims to amend the Digital Personal Data Protection law to address concerns raised by news publishers. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the law does not limit press freedom. This response follows a Supreme Court notice regarding a petition from the Digital News Publishers Association and others. Publishers argue the lack of exemption for journalism could jeopardize investigative reporting and confidential sources.
BRICS parliamentary forum condemns Pahalgam attack, calls for UN reforms
The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum took place in New Delhi, gathering legislative leaders from various member nations. Delegates emphasized the need to reform the United Nations for more effective global governance while condemning terrorism and unilateral sanctions. The forum expressed concern over regional conflicts, urging resolutions based on human rights and humanitarian law.
Supreme Court issues notice to Centre on media groups' challenge to privacy law
A petition from the Digital News Publishers Association challenges provisions of India's digital privacy law. The law may restrict journalistic activities by requiring consent from individuals under investigation. News publishers argue that this could hinder the freedom of the press and expose confidential sources. Concerns regarding the potential penalties for non-compliance have also been raised by the petitioners.
Clock’s ticking for data protection, but the boardroom remains empty
Under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025, the framework for registering consent managers with the DPBI is scheduled to start on November 13. But a government response to a Right to Information (RTI) application shows that the board spent not a single rupee on salaries, office expenses, rent or information and communication technology equipment as of September 30 this year.
Rogue AI agents exposing India’s data law blindspots
As companies edge closer to the May 2027 enforcement deadline for the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) law, AI’s emerging cybersecurity risks are creating tension over what might constitute adequate compliance just six to seven months from now.
Rhode Island sues Meta over alleged tolerance for scam advertising
The suit, filed by Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha in Providence Superior Court, accuses Meta of unlawfully profiting from and participating in the creation of billions of dollars in scam advertising - even as it assured its billions of users that it was working diligently to protect them.
87 million Facebook users & political targeting: What was the Cambridge Analytica scandal that is back in focus as Meta faces a $25 billion hit
Meta Platforms has been ordered to pay $25 billion for misleading consumers about data privacy in New Mexico. The ruling follows a jury finding that the company misrepresented access to personal information. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez initiated the case, citing violations of consumer protection laws. This penalty is one of the largest ever imposed on a company by a state.
Meta hit with a staggering $25 billion penalty in New Mexico privacy case linked to Cambridge Analytica scandal-here's what happened
Meta has been sentenced to pay a staggering $25 billion for consumer protection infractions in New Mexico. These violations arose from misleading data collection practices tied to the notorious Cambridge Analytica scandal. Upon the court's ruling, Meta's chief legal officer expressed plans to appeal. Attorney General Raúl Torrez highlighted the serious repercussions faced by powerful tech firms, following a series of lawsuits over data breaches and child safety issues.
Meta ordered to pay New Mexico $25 billion after jury finds it deceived Facebook users about privacy
Jurors in September found Meta liable for over 43 million violations of New Mexico consumer protection laws when a political consulting firm, Cambridge Analytica, harvested Facebook user data to generate targeted political ads for the 2016 election.
From Rome to Washington, why governments are pulling DeepSeek off official systems
At least eight governments, now including the US, have restricted the Chinese AI company's products. Most cite the same concern – user data stored in China, where the law gives the state wide powers to access it.
In Brazil, a stolen phone can cost more than money — and shape an election
Cellphone theft remains a significant concern for many Brazilians amid a decline in overall crime rates. In Sao Paulo, where phone thefts are highly prevalent, both presidential candidates are responding to public unease. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has introduced increased penalties for phone theft, while challenger Flavio Bolsonaro has proposed stricter sentences. Affected individuals express feelings of vulnerability and stress after experiencing theft, further highlighting public safety issues.
Children have fundamental right to access internet, can't impose blanket ban on its use: SC
The Supreme Court affirmed the right to access the internet as fundamental for children. It ordered the creation of a national database to detect and remove harmful content targeting minors. The court emphasized the importance of content moderation while ensuring child safety online. It implemented measures to combat the increase in child sexual exploitation material on digital platforms.
Strong majority of voters believes Trump is failing at home and abroad: AP-NORC poll
Federal authorities are investigating suspicious mailings received by congressional and election offices across the country. With Election Day approaching, the mailings are deemed potentially hazardous by law enforcement. In time, US President Trump plans to host rallies in support of Republican candidates in Iowa. Candidates are also navigating fundraising challenges as the midterm elections draw near. The political landscape appears increasingly competitive with various races across states tight.
Kerala Police to deploy robots for traffic control, disaster response: Minister Ramesh Chennithala
Kerala's Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala announced plans to strengthen cybersecurity measures in the state. The Cyberdome will address emerging threats such as identity theft and financial fraud. Advanced robots will be developed to assist with traffic management and disaster response. Public-private partnerships and international cooperation are essential for tackling global cybersecurity challenges. Training personnel and raising awareness about threats will be priorities for the government.
AI surveillance startup Flock Safety to cut several hundred jobs amid backlash
Flock Safety plans to let go of about 18% of its employees, people with direct knowledge of the plans said on Thursday, as the maker of AI-powered surveillance cameras and license-plate readers faces mounting opposition to its products from
A reckoning on social media addiction came late for many kids. Will AI safety be different?
When Meta agreed to changes to its social media platforms and enhanced safeguards in an $18 billion settlement, it made progress by "getting at what we've known for years" about the dangers, said Kristin Bride, a parent advocate who has fought for social media reform since the death of her teenage son. "How are we going to get at what we don't know is coming?"
NCW calls for driver verification, SOS buttons, route alerts to ensure women's safety
The National Commission for Women has recommended enhanced safety measures for women using app-based transport services. Guidelines include driver background checks, a mandatory SOS button, and real-time alerts for suspicious activities. Aggregators must ensure driver and vehicle identity matches through neat verification processes before rides. Special provisions for women traveling alone at night include safer drop-off points and priority support.
India needs its own AI safety framework, not a copy of US pact: Industry experts
India should build its own artificial intelligence (AI) safety framework suited to its languages, scale, and application-led AI ecosystem rather than replicate a voluntary pact signed by US President Donald Trump and top technology firms last week, industry experts said.
India needs its own AI safety framework, not a copy of US pact: Industry experts
Industry experts say India should develop an AI safety framework tailored to its own languages, scale and application-driven ecosystem rather than simply copy the voluntary US pact signed by major tech firms. While there is broad support for independent audits, accountability and safeguards against deepfakes and cyberattacks, experts differ on whether India should rely mainly on self-regulation or combine voluntary standards with binding rules.
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