Latest news with #DPDP
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Draft data rules introduce potential for data localisation requirements: trade associations to IT ministry
The draft Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) rules introduce the potential for new data localisation needs that are inconsistent with the DPDP Act's supportive approach for data flows, trade bodies told the IT ministry in a letter last week. The draft rules were published on January 3. The final rules are yet to be notified. The Information Technology Industry Council, one of the signatories to the letter, counts Big Tech companies like Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, and OpenAI as its members.'We urge the government to narrow and align these rules to bring them into alignment with the original intent of the DPDP Act,' the letter's nine signatories said. The other signatories are US India Business Council, Software and Information Industry Association, ACT | The App Association, Asia Internet Coalition, Asia Video Industry Association, Coalition of Services Industries, Computer and Communications Industry Association, and K-Internet. The industry bodies were referring to Rules 12 and 14 of the draft DPDP rules. 'This could be achieved by setting out a clear process, including timelines and safeguards, as well as adequate consultations and timelines for implementing any potential localisation requirements, and determining when and how such data localisation determinations will be made,' the associations said in their letter to The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), a copy of which was seen by ET. 'We would also urge the government to view any potential restrictions on data free flows from a future "bilateral digital trade "agreement perspective,' the signatories said. The associations also want that Rules 3-15, 21 and 22 shouldn't take effect until or after two years from the date of notification. Rule 22, as currently drafted, provides the potential for an excessively broad scope of government access to private sector data without making clear that this will follow a robust, proportionate, and transparent process with proper avenues of redress and review, they said. Giving further clarity on this process, including by referencing globally-recognised Trusted Government Access principles, would be an effective way to provide clarity and reassurance on this point, they added. The associations supported the Global Cross Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) forum and similar regimes that facilitate the free flow of data across borders, promote interoperability between privacy regimes, and encourage responsible data use and strong privacy protections, they said. Also, personal data breach reporting requires clear, risk-based reporting thresholds to ensure reporting timelines and processes do not end up compromising the efficiency of risk mitigation measures, the associations wrote in their letter dated May 21. They have also asked the MeitY to 'strongly consider' adding back language proposed in previous drafts of the DPDP Act to give critical exclusion for data pertaining to credit reporting to facilitate financial transparency and fraud prevention while supporting financial inclusion. Credit bureaus such as TransUnion CIBIL, Experian, Equifax, and CRIF High Mark are approved by the Reserve Bank of India for operating in the country.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Draft data rules introduce potential for data localisation requirements: trade associations to IT ministry
Live Events The draft Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) rules introduce the potential for new data localisation needs that are inconsistent with the DPDP Act's supportive approach for data flows , trade bodies told the IT ministry in a letter last draft rules were published on January 3. The final rules are yet to be Information Technology Industry Council, one of the signatories to the letter, counts Big Tech companies like Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, and OpenAI as its members.'We urge the government to narrow and align these rules to bring them into alignment with the original intent of the DPDP Act,' the letter's nine signatories said. The other signatories are US India Business Council, Software and Information Industry Association, ACT | The App Association, Asia Internet Coalition, Asia Video Industry Association, Coalition of Services Industries, Computer and Communications Industry Association, and industry bodies were referring to Rules 12 and 14 of the draft DPDP rules.'This could be achieved by setting out a clear process, including timelines and safeguards, as well as adequate consultations and timelines for implementing any potential localisation requirements, and determining when and how such data localisation determinations will be made,' the associations said in their letter to The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), a copy of which was seen by ET.'We would also urge the government to view any potential restrictions on data free flows from a future "bilateral digital trade "agreement perspective,' the signatories associations also want that Rules 3-15, 21 and 22 shouldn't take effect until or after two years from the date of 22, as currently drafted, provides the potential for an excessively broad scope of government access to private sector data without making clear that this will follow a robust, proportionate, and transparent process with proper avenues of redress and review, they further clarity on this process, including by referencing globally-recognised Trusted Government Access principles, would be an effective way to provide clarity and reassurance on this point, they associations supported the Global Cross Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) forum and similar regimes that facilitate the free flow of data across borders, promote interoperability between privacy regimes, and encourage responsible data use and strong privacy protections, they personal data breach reporting requires clear, risk-based reporting thresholds to ensure reporting timelines and processes do not end up compromising the efficiency of risk mitigation measures, the associations wrote in their letter dated May have also asked the MeitY to 'strongly consider' adding back language proposed in previous drafts of the DPDP Act to give critical exclusion for data pertaining to credit reporting to facilitate financial transparency and fraud prevention while supporting financial bureaus such as TransUnion CIBIL, Experian, Equifax, and CRIF High Mark are approved by the Reserve Bank of India for operating in the country.
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Toxic trolling: on India-Pakistan conflict, troll army
A full-scale war between India and Pakistan may have been averted, but the troll army has come out in force to disturb the peace. After India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced on May 10 that an understanding had been reached between the two sides to halt all military actions, his personal account on X (formerly Twitter), was flooded with abusive comments which did not spare his daughter. Mr. Misri locked the account, and several diplomats and politicians have condemned the toxic culture in no uncertain terms, pointing out that several red lines had been crossed. Mr. Misri was only doing his job and conveying a decision taken by the political leadership. The Foreign Secretary had been addressing the media since Operation Sindoor began on May 7, in response to the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 people died. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B), which had rightly slammed Pakistan for unleashing 'a full-blown disinformation offensive' on social media about the ground reality regarding Operation Sindoor, remained quiet about the vicious trolling of Mr. Misri and the doxing of his daughter. Unfortunately, with the phenomenal rise of social media in India but little Internet literacy, there is a pattern of platforms being regularly used for hate speech, abusive comments, and deliberate distortion of facts. The public sphere may have become more participatory, but that does not necessarily ensure civil behaviour. Surveys have shown that women, minorities and marginalised communities are particularly targeted by trolls. The extreme reactions often include rape and death threats. With surveillance now the byword for all tech companies, surely it should not take long to locate and end the online run of trolls. A stringent anti-troll law must be put in place to stop the acute mental and physical harassment trolls can cause. The draft Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025, set to be rolled out this year, prescribe penalties for misuse of personal information. Now, there are only a limited number of provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act to address cyberbullying. The courts have been more proactive by directing quick removal of offending content and also mandating the disclosure of basic subscriber information linked to such accounts. In the Shaviya Sharma case (2024), the Delhi High Court had noted that 'there can be no doubt that acts of doxing if permitted to go on unchecked could result in violation of right to privacy'. In a democracy, all voices should be heard but disinformation and misinformation must be stopped with the help of guidelines and the law.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Ather trims Q4 loss; Startups power defence push
Ather trims Q4 loss; Startups power defence push Also in the letter: Ather Energy loss narrows to Rs 234 crore in Q4 as revenue rises Key numbers: Operating revenue rose 29% YoY to Rs 676 crore. rose 29% YoY to Rs 676 crore. Total expenses increased 12.6% YoY to Rs 922.2 crore. increased 12.6% YoY to Rs 922.2 crore. Adjusted gross margin expanded by ~900 bps to 18%. expanded by ~900 bps to 18%. Vehicle sales rose 35% to nearly 47,400 units in Q4. rose 35% to nearly 47,400 units in Q4. FY25 revenue stood at Rs 2,255 crore, up from Rs 1,753.8 crore in FY24. stood at Rs 2,255 crore, up from Rs 1,753.8 crore in FY24. Full-year net loss narrowed 23.3%. narrowed 23.3%. Ather added 143 stores during FY25, taking its total network to 351 outlets. Growth levers: Muted listing: Competitive landscape: Also Read: Defence, drone startups roll up sleeves to boost production Driving the news: Startups argue that India must scale up by tapping into its manufacturing and engineering strengths rather than depending on foreign suppliers. Experts point to Israel, where conflict-driven innovation has fuelled robust defence exports. While India has lacked a similar sense of urgency, they stress the importance of collaboration when national sovereignty is at stake. Setting context: Industry stakeholders noted that the current geopolitical tensions have exposed the inefficiency of using expensive missiles to counter low-cost drone threats. They propose identifying five key manufacturers and linking them with upstream suppliers to address capacity constraints. Experts also called on banks to provide working capital against confirmed defence orders. Qcomm race gets tough for Zomato, Swiggy, search for profits continues Bigger footprint, smaller profits: Blinkit posted its highest-ever quarterly net addition, 294 new stores. Instamart crossed the 1,000-store milestone, adding 316 stores. Blinkit's margin woes: Also Read: Instamart burning cash: Workers using AI tools seen as less competent: Study Driving the news: Study findings: In the first experiment, participants imagined using AI for tasks and expected colleagues to see them as lazy, incompetent or easily replaceable. The second experiment revealed that co-workers using AI were perceived as less competent, confident and independent. In the third, hiring managers rated candidates who used AI less favourably, though this bias lessened when the managers had personal experience with AI themselves. The final experiment found that when AI use was clearly appropriate and boosted productivity, negative perceptions dropped significantly. Also Read: ETtech Explainer: Amid online harm fears, nations push social media ban for under-16s What's happening: India's Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act prohibits data collection, tracking, and targeted advertising for children under 18 and mandates verified parental consent for platform access. Australia now bars under-16s from creating accounts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. The EU's Digital Services Act stopped targeted advertising for anyone aged 17 or younger. Other countries, including the UK, Canada and several US states, are also considering similar restrictions. Ather Energy reduced its losses in the March quarter, boosted by higher sales and improved profitability. This and more in today's ETtech Top 5.■ Swiggy, Zomato growth pangs■ Stigma against AI users■ Scroll ban for teensTarun Mehta, CEO, Ather EnergyElectric two-wheeler maker Ather Energy narrowed its Q4 FY25 net loss by 17% year-on-year to Rs 234.4 crore, driven by higher scooter sales and improved an earnings call, CEO Tarun Mehta said Ather's broader product range and wider distribution would enable the company to scale efficiently and achieve profitability faster than peers, thanks to its capital-light became FY26's first mainboard listing on May 6, debuting at Rs 328 on the NSE—a 2.18% premium. On the BSE, shares opened at Rs 326.05, up 1.57%.With EV adoption rising, competition has intensified. Ather held a 14.3% share of India's electric two-wheeler market in April 2025, trailing TVS Motor, Ola Electric, and Bajaj Auto, according to Vahan Energy shares closed at Rs 309.55, up 3.29% on defence and drone startups are witnessing a surge in demand as rising tensions with Pakistan push the Indian military to expand its is intensifying for quick commerce leaders Blinkit and Instamart , as both new entrants and existing players ramp up efforts, according to recent post-earnings commentary from management and and Swiggy expanded their store networks aggressively during the March bold expansions are taking a visible toll on the companies' CEO Albinder Dhindsa acknowledged that heightened competition has slowed the company's margin improvement, which came in below expectations. Brokerage firm Motilal Oswal pushed its profitability forecast further out, now expecting Blinkit to break even only by CEO Sriharsha Majety claimed Instamart's Ebitda losses have peaked , but analysts remain cautious about the platform's continued high cash burn. To illustrate: for every Rs 100 in gross order value (GOV), Blinkit lost Rs 2, while Instamart lost a staggering Rs who rely on AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot are often perceived as less competent , intelligent and hardworking than their peers, according to a new study from Duke study highlights a persistent social bias that may slow broader adoption of AI in the workplace despite its proven productivity benefits. Researchers conducted four online experiments involving 4,400 participants to explore how others view AI-assisted Zealand prime minister Christopher Luxon has announced that his government will consider banning under-16s from social media . If approved, the law could be enacted before the 2026 move is part of a growing global trend , with several countries introducing laws to protect children online.
Business Wire
07-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Skyflow Delivers Seamless Global Data Residency for ServiceNow Customers
PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Skyflow, the leading Data Privacy Vault for the modern AI data stack, today announced new data residency capabilities for ServiceNow customers. Enterprises can now meet stringent data sovereignty requirements without deploying separate ServiceNow instances across regions. At ServiceNow, delivering seamless digital workflows while meeting evolving compliance requirements is core to our mission. Skyflow's solution helps support our joint customers as they grow into new markets, while continuing to prioritize data protection. Share With over 100 countries enforcing data localization laws, maintaining compliance while expanding across regions is of utmost importance. Skyflow streamlines compliance, enabling organizations to localize sensitive data while maintaining a single, centralized ServiceNow environment intact. "Data laws are fragmenting the world," said Anshu Sharma, CEO of Skyflow. "Skyflow makes it possible for global organizations to seamlessly localize sensitive data without disrupting ServiceNow workflows or infrastructure, giving them the freedom to grow without compromising security or slowing down innovation." Skyflow's Data Privacy Vault for ServiceNow, built on zero-trust architecture, isolates and protects sensitive data, including personally identifiable information (PII), protected health information (PHI), and payment card information (PCI). Sensitive information remains securely stored locally in regional vaults, while tokens move seamlessly within ServiceNow workflows. This approach enables enterprises to align with compliance requirements, maintain performance, and protect privacy across every jurisdiction. "At ServiceNow, delivering seamless digital workflows while meeting evolving compliance requirements is core to our mission," said Jeffrey DiMuro, Deputy Chief Information Security Officer, ServiceNow. "Skyflow's solution helps support our joint customers as they grow into new markets, while continuing to prioritize data protection." Skyflow offers tailored vault deployments across key global markets, including the European Union, India, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, and the Middle East. Enterprises can meet regulatory requirements such as GDPR, DPDP, and PDP without duplicating their application environments or degrading user experience. This launch builds on Skyflow's expanding role within the ServiceNow ecosystem. Through partnerships like the recent strategic alliance with ServiceNow and Visa, Skyflow is helping enterprises protect PCI and cardholder data, streamline compliance, and strengthen security across global operations. About Skyflow Skyflow is the security and privacy platform for the modern AI data stack built to radically simplify how companies isolate, protect, and govern their customers' most sensitive data. With its Data Privacy Vault, Skyflow enables businesses to store, process, and share sensitive data securely. Leading investors back Skyflow, and the company is trusted by Fortune 500 and growth companies across financial services, healthcare, travel & hospitality, and retail. ServiceNow, the ServiceNow logo, Now, Now Platform, and other ServiceNow marks are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of ServiceNow, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.
