DIGITAL PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION
81-year-old Bengaluru CA helps 8 companies send Rs 200 crore overseas, seeks protection from arrest after tax evasion probe, blames staff misused his digital signature
An 81-year-old Bengaluru chartered accountant allegedly issued 163 Form 15CB certificates for eight companies involved in foreign remittances worth Rs 200.58 crore. He claimed his staff misused his digital signature. A Mumbai special court rejected his anticipatory bail plea, questioning the timing of his police complaint.
Vaishnaw puts onus on social media platforms to curb online harm, stops short of safe-harbour clarity
Vaishnaw said social media companies could no longer remain passive intermediaries as the digital ecosystem evolved and must take responsibility for the harmful consequences of content circulated through their platforms, including cyber fraud and so-called digital arrest scams.
Activists breach Microsoft data centre construction site as protests spread in Europe
Activist groups have announced actions in 16 countries on Friday and Saturday, according to the "Stop Dirty Data Centres" coalition, which is rallying environmental groups and digital rights campaigns behind calls to pause large-scale construction.
Delhi HC protects personality rights of actor Kriti Sanon
Kriti Sanon has gained interim relief from the Delhi High Court, which has ruled against the infringement of her personality rights. The court has ordered third parties to stop disseminating morphed or explicit content and impersonating her online. Additionally, online vendors must remove any merchandise that features her image or attributes. This legal action comes after her lawsuit, highlighting potential irreparable harm.
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 Congress plans to revive protections that were previously withdrawn, including compensation for travel disruptions.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.
AI turns cyber threat into boardroom crisis
In India, State Bank of India disclosed that 375,000 customer records had been leaked on the dark web, while vulnerabilities in eMudhra’s digital certificate keys exposed websites to potential attacks.
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Digital recruitment is creating a new cybersecurity risk for employers
Online hiring has made it easier for companies to reach candidates across locations, but it has also exposed recruitment processes to identity fraud, manipulated assessments and misuse of personal information. HR teams are increasingly responsible for protecting the integrity and security of the hiring process.
Wockhardt seeks 14-year data shield for India-made drugs
Mumbai-based Wockhardt has struck success in its innovative research on a range of antibiotic drugs, bridging a global pipeline gap for difficult-to-treat infections. In May this year, the company secured approvals from Indian and US drug regulators for a breakthrough drug, Zaynich (cefepime + zidebactam), to treat complicated urinary tract infection, including acute pyelonephritis or severe kidney infections. Wockhardt has showcased six drugs to treat antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
How digital distribution shifts the balance of power towards the customer
The insurance sector grapples with pressing issues like mis-selling and customer complaints, which hinder the efficacy of policies. However, digital platforms offer improved transparency, enabling consumers to make well-informed choices about their coverage options. By comparing policies, customers not only save on premiums but also gain better insights into their coverage. Additionally, digital channels simplify grievance resolution, fostering easier interactions with insurers.
Kaspersky flags QR code payment scams as a key cyber risk for Indians travelling to Indonesia
As more Indian tourists move to Indonesia, Kaspersky's cybersecurity experts are sounding the alarm on rising online threats. They point out that travellers should be particularly careful about things like fake QR codes and phishing attacks, which are becoming more common. It's crucial for tourists to stay vigilant to protect themselves from these digital dangers.
From GST to e-invoicing: Closing the loop on Digital India
India has already built the rails. It is time to let the invoice travel on them.
Govt mulls giving Cert-In enforceable powers to mandate patching
Last month, two critical flaws in the PHP programming language, discovered with the help of AI, created worldwide panic as hackers targeted the vulnerabilities millions of times, and led to governments including the US, UK, France, Germany and Japan taking down public websites. PHP powers 69.3% of websites worldwide.
India’s small companies need to see AI as more than an artificial promise
India MSME news: India's micro, small and medium enterprises are exploring the adoption of artificial intelligence to enhance productivity. AI is expected to generate significant economic value for these enterprises in manufacturing and services sectors. Various challenges remain regarding the integration of AI into existing workflows and overcoming cost barriers. Collaborative efforts among industry bodies, technology providers, and the government are essential for facilitating this transition.
Zee 5 launches ZAP with Saptharushi to deliver privacy-first audience intelligence
Zee 5 has introduced the Zee 5 Audience Platform, called ZAP, to enhance advertising through targeted audience insights. The platform uses viewing behavior and consented signals from various sectors to optimize campaigns. It allows brands to create precise audience cohorts based on specific business objectives and viewing patterns.
ET Product of the Year Awards 2026: Categories recognising products driving market impact
The Economic Times Product of the Year Awards 2026 celebrate cutting-edge innovations that make a substantial difference in the market and attract customer loyalty across diverse industries. Categories feature Enterprise SaaS, FinTech, Cybersecurity, as well as consumer goods such as banking solutions and smartphones. Judging criteria prioritize market presence, adoption rates, creativity, and execution excellence, with an emphasis on quantifiable achievements.
Consent managers search for viable revenue model as registration nears
Consent managers are intended to help individuals manage, review and withdraw consent for the processing of their personal data, and they're required to be registered with the Data Protection Board of India (DPBI). A consent manager is data-blind, and processes metadata, consent artifacts, and cryptographic routing instructions.
MeitY unveils DEPA handbook to enable trusted data sharing for AI training
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has launched a handbook on Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture. This handbook is designed to enhance collaboration on data for AI training while ensuring data control. IT Secretary S Krishnan emphasized the importance of responsible and secure data usage in India's AI ambitions. The handbook enables accountability and transparency by tracing data provenance throughout the training process.
Cathay Pacific reports personal data security incident involving Amadeus IT
Cathay Pacific Airways has reported a data security incident linked to a third-party service provider. The incident reportedly affected around 53,000 bookings associated with the airline, due to unauthorized access to Amadeus' systems. Personal information such as booking references, passenger names, and flight details were accessed during the breach. However, investigations continue, and there is no evidence of access to financial or payment information.
Reddit posts search traffic declines, will push visitor sign-ins to curb data scraping
Reddit CEO Steve Huffman outlined a plan on Thursday to make signing-in mandatory for most content as the company grapples with data scraping and declining search referral traffic in recent months.
SC cracks down on banks, seeks mandatory payouts to cyber fraud victims
The Supreme Court has questioned the Reserve Bank of India's effectiveness in preventing digital fraud. Financial institutions must be held accountable for their role in cybercrime under new regulations. A mandatory liability clause is essential to ensure victims are compensated for losses. The court emphasizes that banks should enhance preventive measures against unusual transactions. The Attorney General mentioned that the RBI is working on regulations to address these issues.
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.
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.
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.
Meesho Q2 loss narrows; Info Edge names Sanjeev Bikhchandani CEO
Happy Thursday! Meesho’s losses shrunk as revenue grew in the second quarter of FY27. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
PHP scare sparks calls for urgent corp DPDP audits to plug all gaps
The incidents underline the need to identify gaps in companies’ security practices and clarify what constitutes reasonable safeguards before the law takes effect, they said. The DPDP Act is being implemented in phases, with a May 2027 deadline for full compliance obligations.
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.
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.
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