META INDIA
Meta India’s Arun Srinivas on CSAM, AI for small businesses and Muse’s India launch timeline
Meta India Managing Director Arun Srinivas discusses how harmful ads linked to child sexual abuse material slipped through Instagram's review process, the safety measures introduced since then and questions around accountability. In an interview with ET, he also talks about Muse AI's India launch timeline, how small businesses are using AI to create advertisements, Instagram's plans for creators and WhatsApp's growing ambitions in digital payments.
Amid layoff season, this Bengaluru company is paying employees to quit and start their own business and return back if things don't work out
Amid layoffs and voluntary buyout offers at global tech companies, Bengaluru-based iD Fresh Food is encouraging employees to quit and start their own businesses. CEO Musthafa PC's entrepreneurship policy offers a partially paid sabbatical, mentorship, access to the company's business network and an option to return if their ventures fail.
NCMEC urges India to avoid duplicate reporting of online child sexual abuse cases
The letter comes amid discussions following recent Supreme Court proceedings on the reporting and removal of child sexual exploitation and abuse material online. The court directed the government to strengthen the mechanisms for detecting and removing such material and reiterated that platforms must comply with reporting obligations under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
Tech layoffs were just the start: 1.6 million more US job cuts could push America toward recession
US technology layoffs have crossed 200,000 in 2026, with Google, Microsoft, Amazon and other major companies cutting jobs. But the bigger concern is whether the trend will spread to retail and financial services, where another 1.6 million job losses could push unemployment higher and raise fears of a US recession.
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Instagram’s 90-minute video bet could soon take it into direct confrontation with YouTube
Instagram is testing videos of up to 90 minutes with select creators in the US and Brazil as it looks to expand beyond short-form content and compete with YouTube and OTT platforms for viewers and advertising budgets. The move could bring podcasts, comedy specials and episodic shows to the platform, with creators using Reels to attract viewers to longer videos. Instagram is also working on a TV version of Reels to tap into connected TV (CTV) audiences. No India launch timeline has been announced.
Qualcomm layoffs severance package: 3 months' salary, extra payout based on years of service & one more month's pay for signing exit papers within 3 days; what employees are being offered
Qualcomm has reportedly begun laying off employees in India as part of a global workforce restructuring exercise that could affect around 1,000 staff, or 5–6% of its workforce in the country. Reports suggest affected employees may be offered three months' salary as severance, with additional compensation based on tenure and an extra month's pay for those who sign exit documents within three days. Qualcomm has not publicly confirmed the reported severance package.
WhatsApp to double down on financial services, AI: CEO Kunal Shah
WhatsApp is implementing new strategies aimed at improving user experience by making communication features more intuitive for seamless navigation. The initiative includes streamlining financial transactions, so users won’t have to navigate out of the app. Kunal Shah is also looking to harness artificial intelligence for better schedule management. Collaborations with telecom and payment services may elevate these functions. Importantly, user privacy is safeguarded, maintaining end-to-end encryption on all communications.
Meta unveils India pricing for AI agent Muse ahead of local launch
Meta has announced the pricing details for its AI companion, Muse, in India. The subscription options are set at ₹1,799 for the 'Power' tier and ₹8,999 for the 'Maximum' tier. Users currently outside supported markets can register via a VPN. Muse aims to enhance user experience by integrating with various Meta services, positioning itself against local competitors like Instinct, available worldwide.
SC asks WhatsApp, others to list measures to prevent digital arrest, related cyber crimes
In an order uploaded on the website with regard to the hearing conducted on October 29 in a suo motu case titled 'In Re: Victims of Digital Arrest Related to Forged Documents', a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant asked WhatsApp and like intermediaries to simultaneously submit their proposals to the I4C (Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre).
Indian organisations on edge as sites fail to Captcha AI intruders
Personal AI agents such as Instinct, Muse, Grokbot and OpenClaw have taken over the consumer internet in the US. But last month, major US banks, including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Morgan Stanley, reportedly flagged AI agents such as Meta’s Muse accessing customer accounts using login credentials voluntarily shared by users laying bare the risks of handing AI agents the keys to consumers’ digital lives.
AI investment cycle may have peaked, Jefferies warns; raises India allocation to 14%
According to a recent Jefferies report, global investment in artificial intelligence appears to be facing a mid-cycle correction. Although US tech giants have ramped up their capital spending, there are growing concerns regarding both financing and profitability. This situation may adversely impact US economic growth. Investors are advised to explore opportunities outside the AI realm, especially in healthcare and biotechnology sectors.
US polls hit tech stocks; Qcomm’s Dhanteras gold rush
US technology stocks took a major beating days after the Democratic Party took control of both chambers of the Congress. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
Why Big Tech companies Microsoft, Google, Meta and others are opting for voluntary buyouts
In response to fluctuating market demands, Meta has rolled out voluntary exit packages in France aimed at workforce restructuring. This initiative is part of a broader trend as tech giants like Google and Microsoft implement similar measures globally to optimize costs. These packages offer employees the choice to depart with financial incentives and transition support, showcasing a more favorable approach compared to traditional layoffs amidst economic uncertainty.
Dhanteras 2026 diamond, gold, silver, brass, copper, bronze price today: Buying precious metal for prosperity today, check prices of 6 metals
Things to buy on dhanteras 2026 buying guide: Dhanteras falls on November 6, with gold, silver and other precious metals remaining popular festive purchases. Check today's prices of 24K and 22K gold, silver, diamond, brass, copper and bronze before buying. Also know how purity, making charges and market fluctuations affect the final price.
After laying off thousands, Meta now offers voluntary exit packages like Google and Microsoft. Here's all you need to know
Meta has launched a voluntary exit programme in France, designed to reorganize its team while pivoting towards artificial intelligence development. This attractive package includes severance pay, mobility leave, and extensive career support for transitioning employees. This initiative reflects a growing trend in the tech industry, as companies like Google and Microsoft are also adopting similar voluntary separation strategies. Employees wishing to participate must apply by November 5.
Delhi Police files FIR against Meta India over child sexual abuse material on its platforms
In response to directives from the National Human Rights Commission, Delhi Police has launched an FIR against Meta India, concerning the alarming presence of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material on its platforms. This follows previous summons from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. As a proactive measure, Meta India is now coordinating with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre to report child safety violations.
Ahead of Market: 10 things that will decide stock market action on Thursday
Indian markets extended their rally, with Sensex gaining 384 points to 77,301 and Nifty rising 150 points to 23,961, marking two-month highs. Positive sentiment, strong earnings, festive demand and buying across mid- and small-caps supported gains.
Quant Mutual Fund reduces exposure to frontline IT stocks as part of profit-booking exercise
Quant Mutual Fund has strategically reduced its exposure to IT stocks and boosted its investments in FMCG sectors. This shift is due to disappointing earnings from key tech companies, leading to a cautious approach towards manufacturing amid ongoing supply chain issues. Nevertheless, the fund expresses confidence in India's investment potential amidst global market instabilities and has also introduced three new index funds for passive investors.
Decoded: Will AI agents outlast the hype?
Krish Ramineni, founder of AI note-taking company Fireflies.ai, said consumers were experimenting with applications ranging from shopping and price comparisons to booking flights and hotels, making restaurant reservations, managing bills and subscriptions, and seeking refunds.
Instinct's WhatsApp scare: Glitch that cried wolf
The incident has also brought attention to Meta’s restrictions on competing AI assistants and the challenges facing companies building personal AI agents. Tanya Pandey explains what happened and why it matters.
SaaS firm Capillary’s AI platform drives new customer wins, revenue grows 51%
Capillary’s aiRA (AI-powered Research Assistant) is an AI agent for enterprise brands that helps connect customer data across platforms and identifies opportunities to acquire, convert, retain and reactivate customers. It also executes campaigns through existing marketing tools, with human approval. It works with data from platforms such as Salesforce, Snowflake, Databricks, Google Ads and Meta, according to the investor presentation.
As US midterms enter last lap, Indian "consultants" suddenly thrust into spotlight
Indian "consultants" are under scrutiny for allegedly engaging in election manipulation on a global scale. These activities reportedly range from creating false narratives on social media networks to shape voter perceptions. Reports say these firms have operated in multiple countries, including the US.
AI agent Instinct back on WhatsApp after technical issues: Here’s what we know
Instinct, a leading AI firm, faced a brief disruption in its WhatsApp services due to a technical glitch linked to its configuration. This led to confusion among users and sparked rumors regarding Meta's restrictions. Following the resolution of the billing issue, founder Noah Shinn reassured everyone that the services were once again operational. To mitigate future disruptions, Instinct is implementing proactive measures to enhance service reliability.
Accountability tames AI autonomy as DSCI outlines its liability framework
In the framework titled AI Liability: Industry Guidance for Agentic AI, DSCI said assigning liability solely to the organisation deploying an AI system or to an upstream technology provider would be legally flawed. Agentic AI systems involve multiple layers of models, instructions, integrations, tool calls and human decisions, making it difficult to isolate where responsibility lies when something goes wrong.
Jio & let Jio, India’s crackling telco space
India's Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel are now among the world's top telecom companies due to significant evolution. The integration of AI technologies is transforming telecom networks and helping to optimize operations effectively. This shift enhances the capacity for high-speed data transfer, which is essential for supporting AI applications. Telecom firms are addressing challenges such as siloed data and adapting to provide better services.
School Assembly Headlines for October 30: Top national, international, sports and business updates
School Assembly News Headlines for October 30, 2026: The Centre will release the 24th instalment of the PM-Kisan scheme on October 30, benefiting eligible farmers. The Bombay High Court has denied Meta's request to relocate a lawsuit to California, affirming Indian jurisdiction. Jamia Millia Islamia has prolonged online classes until November 24 due to ongoing protests on campus. In Israel's 2026 elections, Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc is reportedly leading with a projected seat count near 54.
Bombay High Court rejects Meta’s jurisdiction challenge in Blink Digital dispute; Interim relief hearing on November 2
The Bombay High Court dismissed Meta's application that challenged its jurisdiction over the dispute with Blink Digital. Blink Digital is seeking the restoration of disabled accounts and significant compensation from Meta. The court has scheduled a hearing for Blink Digital's plea for interim relief on November 2. The dispute centers on whether the case can be heard in India or should go to California.
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