Latest news with #Regulations2025
NDTV
6 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
Court Upholds Tamil Nadu's Night Ban On Online Gaming, Cites Loss Of Lives
The Madras High Court on Tuesday upheld the Tamil Nadu government's restrictions on the ban from midnight to 5 AM on playing online real money games. The court, while hearing petitions by online gaming companies to declare as unconstitutional the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (Real Money Games), Regulations 2025 enacted by the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority, upheld the MK Stalin-led government's restrictions, citing that nearly 50 people have died by suicide due to online gaming losses. The requirement for platforms to implement Aadhaar-based authentication to ensure only adults (18+) can access real-money games was also sustained by a bench of Justices SM Subramanian and K Rajasekar. They dismissed the pleas filed by various online gaming operators who argued that the state government overstepped its constitutional bounds and that regulation should fall solely under the central government's purview. "The state government has placed sufficient material on record to demonstrate the existence of a public health crisis arising from online gaming addiction, leading to financial ruin, mental distress, and tragically, loss of life," the court observed in its judgment. "In light of the specific and grave situation within Tamil Nadu, exemplified by the reported deaths of at least 47 individuals, the state is well within its powers under the Constitution to enact measures to protect its citizens on grounds of public health and public order," the bench added. The government presented data showing instances of suicides and extreme distress directly linked to massive debts accumulated through losses in online real-money games. The dismissal is a significant setback for the online gaming companies operating in Tamil Nadu. The mandatory "blank hours" directly impact user engagement and potential revenue during late-night periods. The Aadhaar-based authentication, while aimed at protecting minors, adds a layer of compliance and potentially affects user acquisition and ease of access. Representatives of the online gaming industry expressed disappointment with the ruling, reiterating concerns about state overreach and the impact on legitimate businesses.
Mint
7 days ago
- General
- Mint
Madras HC says right to privacy is not absolute; Tamil Nadu government is required to prevent social harm
In a significant ruling, the Madras High Court on Tuesday said the Right to Privacy is not absolute and the Tamil Nadu governmentis required to prevent social harm. The court was hearing petitions challenging the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (Real Money Games) Regulations 2025, mandating a 'blank hour' midnight to 5 AM ban on gaming and an Aadhaar-based user verification system. A Madras High Court bench of justices SM Subramaniam and K Rajasekar dismissed the petitions, saying that the online gaming regulations amounted to 'reasonable restrictions' that govern all fundamental rights. The bench added that a user's fundamental right to privacy cannot be considered absolute and needs to be balanced with public interest. 'When put on a scale, public interest overweighs the right to privacy,' it said. The court reserved its order on 30 April, saying the Tamil Nadu government can 'step in' if online real-money games are addictive and cause social harm, reported Hindustan Times. Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi and Sajjan Poovayya, representing gaming companies, opposed the regulations, saying that the Union government already regulated such games. They also argued that the Tamil Nadu government was trying to indirectly prohibit online gaming under the guise of protecting users from addiction. Digital gaming platforms such as Play Games 24x7, Head Digital Works, and Junglee Games India, opposed provisions prohibiting users under 18 from playing real-money games, 'know your customer' registration with Aadhaar for opening gaming accounts, and ban on playing during 'blank hours'. Defending the online gaming regulations, the Tamil Nadu government said that users often included minors and that addiction was ruining their health. The latest Madras High Court judgement will reinforce the Tamil Nadu government's authority to regulate online gaming and would also empower other states to implement similar regulatory measures to safeguard health and well-being of users.
Mint
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Night ban, mandatory KYC regulations to stay for online real money games as Madras HC junks pleas by companies, players
The Madras High Court on Tuesday upheld the Tamil Nadu government's regulations for playing online real money games, including imposing a night ban and mandating Aadhaar-based KYC verification. According to a LiveLaw report, a bench of Justice SM Subramaniam and Justice K Rajasekar dismissed the petitions filed by a group of online gaming companies and players. The bench said that apart from a paternalistic point, the state government had gone one step further to protect the health and well-being of its citizens, which was a reasonable restriction. The petitions had challenged the regulations brought in by the Tamil Nadu Gaming Authority, making KYC verification mandatory for playing online real money games. It had also instructed gaming companies to impose a 'blank hour' from 12 am to 5 am restricting the players from participating. While the pleas had argued on the aspect of Right to Privacy, the court rejected the arguments, saying the Right comes with its own restriction. 'The gaming companies sought to declare Section 5(2) read with Sections 14(1)(c) of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Act 2022 along with Regulation 4(iii) and Regulation 4(viii) of the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (Real Money Games) Regulations 2025 as arbitrary void, illegal and unconstitutional,' the LiveLaw report said. Under the Section 5(2), the government has the authority to make regulations on time limits, monetary limits, and age restrictions in regard to playing online games. As per Section 14(1)(c) of the Act, no non-local online game provider shall allow the playing of any other online games contrary to the regulations. The petitioners said that the government was trying to impose a prohibition on online games of rummy under the guise of regulation. While referring to the Information Technology Act, the companies argued that the state government could not make any laws on the subject since all apprehensions were covered under the Act, passed by the Centre, the report added. The petitions also questioned the KYC verification, saying that the companies could use any of the documents approved by the Reserve Bank of India for verification. The state government in its defence said that it had a 'parental right' over its people and was duty bound to take care of their health. It was argued that even as per the earlier orders of the court, the State had a power to bring in regulations for the health of the people. Arguing that the state had a parental right, the state submitted that this right had to be exercised for the larger good of the people. The government said that the restrictions brought in were reasonable restrictions and were protected under Articles 19(2) and 19(6) of the Constitution. As far as Aadhaar verification is concerned, the government said that it was the only document which provided a two-step OTP verification process, thus mitigating the risk of minors misusing the document, the LiveLaw report added.
Malaysiakini
23-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysiakini
M'sia should improve public access to beneficial ownership data
LETTER | I refer to the letter by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) titled 'CCM's response to TI-M on beneficial ownership information' published on May 22, 2025. In a world where freedom of information, which promotes values like accountability and transparency, is the antidote to corruption, Malaysia risks falling behind. While global financial watchdogs continue to push for reasonable openness in corporate ownership, I humbly opine that Malaysia's latest regulations on access to beneficial ownership (BO) information tend to leave the public in the dark. In Malaysia, under the Companies (Access to the Register and Information Relating to Beneficial Ownership) Regulations 2025, access to BO data is primarily restricted to enforcement agencies and reporting institutions. Even beneficial owners can only view their own records. The general public? Completely shut out. Meanwhile, it is understood that public scrutiny under certain circumstances is of paramount importance. In the context of public procurement, for instance, if there is no public access, journalists and civil society cannot investigate whether a company that wins a lucrative government tender is secretly owned by any relatives of a politician or a government official. Malaysia's current regulations provide no meaningful avenue for the public to monitor potential conflicts of interest in government contracts, despite international best practices recommending the disclosure of beneficial ownership in procurement awards. In such a context, access to beneficial ownership information can support anti-corruption efforts and limit opportunities for abuse in awarding public procurement or extractive contracts. Therefore, by referring to the guidelines titled 'Unmasking Control: A Guide to Beneficial Ownership Transparency' published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2022, Malaysia can still address the aforementioned shortcomings with the following proposed reforms. First, a tiered access system should be introduced. I believe the public in general should be able to access the basic information of the beneficial owners of any companies, such as names and countries of residence, whereas financial institutions and authorities can access more comprehensive records when needed. This approach strikes a delicate balance between privacy concerns and the need for transparency and good governance. Second, when we come to ownership in public procurement, the relevant information should be disclosed to the public, who, as the taxpayers, have the right to know. When public funds are spent, the public has the right to know who benefits behind the scenes. Hence, the BO information of the awarded companies in public procurement should be reasonably made available to the public to allow civil society to better monitor and scrutinise the awarding of procurement contracts. Undeniably, global trends are still in the midst of evaluating the appropriate extent of public access to BO data. However, I still believe that transparency with reasonable or necessary safeguards should always be the norm. To build public trust, combat corruption, and attract clean investment, Malaysia must go further. We should proportionately let sunlight in and move away from unnecessary secrecy. The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
Belfast Telegraph
14-05-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
MPs push for Russian asset seizures as Government targets tech and diamond trade
Introducing the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, which MPs later agreed, Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty described sanctions as 'a powerful tool in our armoury'. He told the Commons: 'We're working at pace with international partners to look at all lawful means to ensure that Russia pays for the horrific damage and destruction that it has done in Ukraine.' But Liberal Democrat home affairs spokeswoman Lisa Smart suggested the Government 'should consider moving on a unilateral basis' if ministers fail to strike an agreement with their counterparts overseas. The approved regulations introduce targeted software sanctions so individuals and companies must not transfer computer programmes to people in Russia. The restrictions apply to business and industrial design software, and oil and gas-related programmes and technology. They also ban UK importers from bringing in synthetic diamonds manufactured in Russia then altered or processed in a 'third country' – outside Russia, the UK and the Isle of Man. Mr Doughty said the Government was 'leading the way in targeting Russia's revenues, bearing down on its military-industrial complex and deterring and disrupting Iran's support to Russia'. He added: 'This instrument allows us to go even further in our efforts to target Russia's revenue streams and prevent the Kremlin from building its military and industrial capabilities, and it introduces a package of over 150 new trade sanctions. 'This includes new innovative measures that will prevent UK expertise from being used in Russia's defence and energy sectors.' Intervening, DUP MP for Strangford Jim Shannon asked whether the Government could pursue frozen Russian assets with 'a vengeance' and 'a zest – an evangelical zest'. He added: 'If we squeeze them on the frozen Russian assets, then we can use that for the benefit of Ukraine and indeed strengthen everyone on the side who supports Ukraine.' Liberal Democrat Europe spokesman James MacCleary later said the UK 'should begin the seizure, not just the freezing, of Russian state assets'. He replied 'absolutely' after Ms Smart asked him whether he agreed that if multilateral agreement 'can't be found, we should consider moving on a unilateral basis in a leadership role for the United Kingdom'. At the despatch box, Conservative shadow Foreign Office minister Wendy Morton told MPs: 'On these benches, we support the draft order and all measures that bear down on (Vladimir) Putin's regime and undermine his ability to prosecute the barbaric, illegal invasion of Ukraine. 'We support the further measures on technology transfers and software, on diamonds and chemicals, and the other measures to tighten both the import and export regime, and of course all of these are built on the critical mass of sanctions introduced by the Conservative government.' Referring to £2.5 billion generated from the sale of Chelsea FC in 2022, which was frozen as a result of sanctions on its former owner Roman Abramovich, Ms Morton asked the minister: 'When is his internal deadline for getting the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club out the door, and how exactly does he envisage the money being spent?' Mr Doughty said in his response: 'We are determined to see the proceeds reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine as soon as possible, and we're doing everything we can to bring that about quickly.' He described a 'complex legal issue' but added the Government was 'exploring all options to ensure the proceeds reach vulnerable people in Ukraine who are most in need'.
