Latest news with #PNR
India Today
2 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
IndiGo passenger claims luggage arrived broken with items missing, shares pics
A senior analyst at Deloitte has lashed out at IndiGo in a LinkedIn post over alleged mishandling of his luggage and poor customer Kumar shared a scathing post detailing his unpleasant experience during a recent flight from Delhi to Hyderabad and also posted pictures of his damaged his arrival in Hyderabad, Kumar found his checked-in luggage severely damaged - zippers torn, locks missing, and contents tampered with. He also claimed that several items were missing from his bag, which appeared to weigh nearly a kilogram less than it did when checked in at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International 'My luggage looked like it had survived a WWE match - zips gone, locks missing, contents clearly tampered with, and surprise surprise: items missing! At IGI, my bag weighed over 14 kg. By the time I got it in Hyderabad, it was barely 13 kg,' Kumar said in his over the lack of response from IndiGo's support team, Kumar added, 'I've been chasing your team for a resolution like it's a toxic ex who owes me money - and yet, radio silence. Honestly, pathetic service.'See the post here: IndiGo, meanwhile, reacted to the viral complaint saying, 'Mr Kumar, we would like to understand your experience better. Request you to share your contact details and PNR via DM and we'll get in touch with you promptly.' Earlier this month, a Goa-based woman also called out IndiGo after her checked-in baggage allegedly arrived damaged. The airline, she claimed, barely responded despite repeated Watch
Time Business News
a day ago
- Business
- Time Business News
The Smart Wall: When Borders Become Digital Prisons
VANCOUVER, B.C. — As governments shift their focus from physical barriers to digital surveillance systems, a new kind of border is emerging—one that tracks, anticipates, and intercepts movement without the need for walls or fences. This phenomenon, often referred to as the 'Smart Wall,' represents a seismic shift in how countries secure their borders and control migration. However, while policymakers claim it enhances national security, critics argue that it creates digital prisons that strip individuals of their privacy, mobility, and the right to seek refuge. Amicus International Consulting, a global leader in legal identity change and international migration advisory, has seen firsthand how emerging border technologies are transforming both enforcement and evasion. This press release explores the technologies behind the Smart Wall, their global impact, and the legal dilemmas now facing asylum seekers, stateless persons, and fugitives. What Is a Smart Wall? A Smart Wall is a border enforcement strategy that uses technology, rather than concrete or steel, to detect, monitor, and deter unauthorized crossings. It typically includes: High-resolution drones Ground sensors AI-enhanced surveillance cameras Satellite tracking systems Facial recognition and biometric verification Advanced data analytics Unlike traditional walls, Smart Walls are invisible but ever-present. They do not block geography; they monitor behaviour. By blending artificial intelligence with real-time sensor data, Smart Walls allow authorities to predict migration patterns, identify individuals of interest, and share intelligence across international networks. Case Study: The U.S.-Mexico Border In recent years, the United States has invested over $1.2 billion in Smart Wall technologies along the southern border. The system, powered by AI and supported by private defence contractors, includes drone surveillance, automated license plate readers, and biometric sensors capable of identifying individuals in motion. This network works not only at the line of contact but also deep into U.S. territory and across Mexican states. In effect, it creates a surveillance buffer zone extending miles beyond the border, blurring the lines between border enforcement and internal tracking. Human rights organizations, including the ACLU, have challenged these developments, citing privacy violations and the lack of transparency or judicial oversight. The Rise of Pre-Border Enforcement What makes Smart Walls more controversial is their ability to act before a traveller arrives. Governments now routinely access Passenger Name Records (PNR), share biometric data, and use algorithmic profiling to identify 'high-risk' travellers before they board planes or even apply for visas. In 2024, the European Union expanded its Entry/Exit System (EES), logging every border crossing made by non-EU citizens, including fingerprints and facial scans. Coupled with the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), these tools enable predictive vetting based on personal, behavioural, and even political data. This predictive approach has turned many international travellers into unwitting targets of preemptive surveillance, often without recourse or explanation. When the Wall Is a Database For many, a border is no longer a place—it's a profile in a database. Governments worldwide maintain watchlists, blocklists, and visa denials based on opaque criteria. If your name, appearance, or travel history raises red flags, you may never be allowed to board a flight, regardless of your intent or legal rights. In 2023 alone, more than 2.4 million passengers were prevented from travelling due to pre-boarding algorithmic flagging, according to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and INTERPOL. This phenomenon disproportionately affects: Asylum seekers Political dissidents Fugitives from oppressive regimes Transnational activists Stateless persons without a conventional ID Case Study: Jamal Khashoggi's Digital Trail The 2018 assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was partially enabled by digital tracking. Turkish intelligence later confirmed that Saudi operatives used mobile phone metadata, airline travel logs, and digital surveillance to orchestrate his capture and murder. The case became a landmark moment, demonstrating how digital tracking tools can be weaponized to monitor and neutralize dissent, even in foreign jurisdictions. The Legal Grey Zone: Predictive Policing and Due Process Predictive surveillance raises major legal questions. Is it lawful to deny someone entry based on a probability score generated by AI? What rights does a flagged traveller have when they're denied boarding in a third country? Can you challenge a decision made by an algorithm? Most current legal frameworks do not adequately address these questions. The right to mobility, enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is now clashing with national security algorithms programmed by private firms. As Amicus International notes, 'Borders have become invisible battlegrounds where algorithms, not judges, decide the fate of travellers.' The Human Cost of Smart Walls The impact of digital border control on vulnerable populations is profound. In 2024: Over 40,000 asylum claims were denied based on prior travel history. Stateless Rohingya refugees were rejected from Malaysian entry despite UNHCR documentation. LGBTQ+ activists flagged as 'cultural disruptors' were denied boarding to European safe havens. Dozens of political dissidents were detained at pre-clearance zones before flights ever left the ground. In each of these cases, the Smart Wall wasn't a line in the sand—it was an algorithmic no-fly zone programmed thousands of miles away. Amicus International's Response: Legal Pathways Through the Digital Maze Amicus International Consulting is at the forefront of helping clients navigate this digital transformation of borders. Their services include: Legal second citizenship acquisition through legitimate means, such as ancestry or investment through legitimate means, such as ancestry or investment Name and identity change assistance in compliant jurisdictions in compliant jurisdictions Pre-clearance legal preparation to ensure smooth airport transitions to ensure smooth airport transitions Digital footprint audits to help clients understand what data is being collected to help clients understand what data is being collected Emergency relocation planning for high-risk individuals and dissidents The firm emphasizes legal solutions only, warning that attempting to bypass digital security systems without a lawful grounding can lead to arrest, detention, or permanent blocklisting. Case Study: Escape from Biometric Detection In 2022, Amicus assisted a Belarusian human rights activist facing surveillance by state intelligence. After being flagged on biometric watchlists, he could no longer enter most EU countries. Amicus developed a legal strategy for changing the client's identity, enabling them to obtain Caribbean citizenship under Saint Kitts and Nevis' investment program. With a new identity and citizenship, the client relocated to South Africa, where he now works remotely for an international non-governmental organization (NGO). The biometric systems never matched him again, because he no longer existed under the same parameters. Ethical Concerns: Who Programs the Border? One of the most alarming aspects of the Smart Wall is the lack of public transparency. Companies like Palantir, Elbit Systems, and Anduril develop the predictive software used in Smart Wall projects. Their algorithms are often classified as proprietary, preventing scrutiny or external review. This leads to: Bias reinforcement against ethnic and political groups against ethnic and political groups False positives that block innocent travellers that block innocent travellers No straightforward appeals process for algorithmic decisions for algorithmic decisions Private influence over public policy In effect, corporations are building the walls and setting the rules. Policy Recommendations Amicus International calls for a renewed global conversation on digital borders and legal rights. Recommendations include: Public transparency mandates for Smart Wall algorithms International treaty updates to account for digital border controls Appeal mechanisms for algorithm-based travel denials Digital mobility rights enshrined in international law Protection for data sovereignty in global PNR and biometric databases Conclusion: The Wall You Cannot See The Smart Wall is not just a new border—it's a new paradigm. One where unseen forces govern identity, intent, and mobility, and where crossing a border has less to do with visas and more to do with machine learning predictions. Amicus International Consulting encourages travellers, asylum seekers, and global citizens to take proactive steps. Understanding the legal landscape of digital surveillance is not just advisable—it's essential for survival in the post-biometric age. Contact Information Phone: +1 (604) 200-5402Email: info@ Website:
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Time of India
Nagpur may get connecting flights to Manchester, Amsterdam via Mumbai
Nagpur: Passengers flying out of Nagpur may soon be able to travel to Manchester and Amsterdam on a single PNR, with connecting flights via Mumbai expected to begin from July 1. IndiGo Airlines has introduced a connecting service that links Nagpur to the two European cities via Mumbai, according to sources at the city airport. The move is aimed at simplifying international travel for Nagpur residents. Though the journey will involve a layover of 4–5 hours in Mumbai, passengers will benefit from more convenient scheduling. For Manchester-bound travellers, flights from Nagpur will land in Mumbai around midnight, with the onward flight scheduled at 4.15 am. Those flying to Amsterdam will depart Nagpur at 10.35 pm, reach Mumbai by midnight, and board the connecting flight at 5.20 am. Immigration clearance will be completed in Mumbai, officials said. While Nagpur currently has no direct flights to any European destination, this new one-ticket service is seen as a step toward improving international connectivity. The existing domestic leg to Mumbai is already operational, with the added international connections now aligning to offer a more streamlined travel experience.
India.com
25-05-2025
- Business
- India.com
IRCTC Launches New Mobile App ‘SwaRail' For Android And iOS Users: Check Features And How To Book Railway Tickets
IRCTC New App For Ticket Booking: IRCTC has introduced a new ticket booking app called 'SwaRail', now available in early access for both Android and iOS users. The app offers a range of features including train journey planning, live train tracking, PNR status checks, food ordering, and more. It is developed in India by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), the SwaRail app brings multiple Indian Railways services together on a single digital platform. While it's currently in early access, users can continue using the existing IRCTC app for booking train tickets. How To Book Tickets On SwaRail App By IRCTC? Step 1: Download the SwaRail app and log in using your existing IRCTC credentials or create a new account. Step 2: On the home screen, tap 'Journey Planner' and select the 'Reserved' option to book confirmed train tickets. Step 3: Enter your source and destination stations, travel date, class, and quota, then tap 'Search' to proceed. Step 4: View the available trains, choose your preferred one, and select the coach class you want to travel in. Step 5: Select your boarding station, choose the passenger, enter contact details, and click 'Review Journey Details'. Step 6: On the next screen, check train details, journey time, and fare. Click 'Fare Breakup' if needed. Step 7: Verify all info, solve the captcha, and tap 'Book Now' to pay via UPI, card, net-banking, or R-Wallet. SwaRail App: Features The SwaRail app by IRCTC offers a range of user-friendly features designed to enhance the train travel experience. It includes real-time train tracking, allowing passengers to monitor train movements accurately. The coach position finder helps users locate their coach easily on the platform. With the 'Order Food on the Go' option, passengers can conveniently order meals during their journey. The app also integrates Rail Madad for filing complaints or seeking assistance. Adding further, it supports refund requests, offers multilingual support for users across India, and includes R-Wallet integration for smooth and quick payments.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Train ticket booking: New mobile app SwaRail launched by IRCTC; step-by-step guide on how to use it railway ticket
Synopsis IRCTC has introduced 'SwaRail,' a new ticket booking app for Android and iOS, developed by CRIS. Beyond ticket reservations, the app facilitates train planning, real-time tracking, PNR status checks, and food ordering. Users can log in with existing IRCTC credentials or create a new account, streamlining the entire journey experience with features like R-Wallet integration and multilingual support.
